Seven fabulously fun ways to help York’s flood victims

Unlike the floods themselves, York’s magnificent community effort to help the victims shows no signs of abating.

All sorts of fabulous ideas and events have made it possible to have a fantastic amount of fun while raising cash for those who have suffered in the recent deluge.

Here’s seven ways you can have a great time and help the flood victims in one fell swoop…

1. Drink beer

Bottoms up! North Yorkshire brewer Theakston has created another of its wonderful beers, this one especially for the flood victims.

The brew, Noah’s Ark Ale, was launched by brewery boss Simon Theakston at Plonkers Wine Bar on Cumberland Street.

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Theakston Noah’s Ark Ale, a 4.3 per cent ABV, amber, full-bodied bitter, has been brewed in the family-owned firm’s famous Masham brewery, close to River Ure in the Yorkshire Dales, and is now on sale in targeted pubs and clubs.

Plonkers was badly hit by the floods. A picture of the bar with the waters halfway up its front window was published in national newspapers.

Landlord Malcolm Goodwin’s daughter Leanne Williams told YorkMix: “We have been flooded every weekend for two months, from the 11th of November.

“You just have to be prepared, that’s all you can do…”

2. Eat food

Walmgate Ale House and Bistro invites you to a three-course meal with drinks in their loft space.

The meal has been made possible thanks to generous donations from M&K Butchers, Fowler’s Fisheries and York Cocoa House, while The Portuguese Wine Club and York Brewery have kindly donated drinks for the evening.

Having suffered substantial damage to the bar, seating, flooring and toilets, the venue won’t be fully reopening until the end of January.

Walmgate Ale House and Bistro owner Michael Hjort said: “It’s been a terrible time for homeowners and businesses that have been hit by the floods.

“We’ve been very grateful for all the help and kind wishes we’ve received whilst we’ve been clearing up and getting Walmgate back to normal.

“We understand the struggle people are going through, so we wanted to do something to help raise money for the Flood Appeal.”

He promises a great menu with drinks and chocolate truffles. So get tucking in.

3. Party on at the Ainsty

The Apollo Festival organisers know how to put on a party, and the Ainsty knows how to host one. So put them together, and this is going to be a corking weekend.

Too many artists to mention are on the Supporting York’s flood victims through music weekender bill. They include Boss Caine, Beth McCarthy, the Bleeding Harts, the Cover Lovers, David Ward Maclean, The Guvnors and the 5.15’s.

Hosted by Chris Marsden of Vale Radio, all proceeds go to people affected by the flooding.

4. Tour an ancient monument

The Red Tower, the only-brick-built tower on York city walls, is throwing open its doors again for the York Residents’ Festival weekend.

Foss Islands Road was hit hard by the floods, and the tower was inundated. Hot drinks, cakes and snacks will be sold, and of course there’ll be a bucket for donations to the flood appeal.

A flood photos competition will also be held by the Red Tower Project, as well as a Know Your Historic York picture quiz.

5. Take a walk through history

In The Footsteps Of Richard III is a guided walk following the route of Richard’s triumphant entry into York on 29th August 1483.

Led by John Oxley, City of York archaeologist and co-founder of Palette and Trowel, it will reflect on what Richard III might have had in mind for York had he lived and reigned beyond 1485.

The walk will begin at Micklegate Bar (where a pageant was performed in Richard’s honour) and finish at the Minster, lasting around 90 minutes.

6. Enjoy a wonderful concert

This fundraising concert, sponsored by Shepherd Group and hosted by BBC Radio York’s Jonathan Cowap and Adam Tomlinson, has been described by organiser Graham Bradbury as “an eclectic mix of entertainment to appeal to all ages”.

Adam Tomlinson’s Pick Me Up Theatre ensemble will begin the show with pieces from Les Miserables, and Rebecca Newman, the People’s Soprano, will finish with her charity recording of Bridge Over Troubled Water.

You can also help out by buying Rebecca’s fundraising CD here.

Other performers include the Shepherd Group Concert Brass Band, the York Civic Youth Choir, Ish Herd & Friends, Archies Boys Aloud, the Steve Cassidy Band, The Grand Old Uke of York and Dan Webster.

7. Win a painting

This image shows part of Flood Lights, a framed watercolour painting by Mark Braithwaite.

It’s being raffled, with all proceeds going to The York Flood Appeal. Each ticket only costs £2 and the painting would normally sell for £850.

You can see the painting in the window of The Braithwaite Gallery, Low Petergate, and buy tickets there or online.

The lucky winner will be drawn at the Hold Back the River charity concert at York Barbican and features on the cover of Rebecca Newman’s charity CD (see above).