Events in York, Visit York, Local News Yorkshire, Things to Do in York – Oneandother.com

If you’ve frequented oneandother.com over the past few months, you’re no doubt well aware that 2012 marks the 8ooth anniversary of York becoming a self-governing city.

In the 13th century, King John granted York a Royal Charter permitting its citizens to self-govern upon buying the rights to do so (and therefore raising much needed funds). York’s citizens duly accepted this offer and created a council led by a mayor to manage the city’s affairs, laying the foundations of local democracy.

In order to celebrate the anniversary of this momentous occasion, the city is hosting a year-long programme of exciting events beginning in July.  Highlights include the Eight Mysteries of York Minster from February, The Queen’s visit (announced today) in April, Charter Day on 9 July, and York Mystery Plays between 2 and 27 August.

The start of the programme is accompanied by the launch of a short film guaranteed to fill you with local pride.  Produced by local filmmakers Parashoots, it is a 3 minute journey through York’s most iconic moments, from the founding of Eboracum by Rome in 76 A.D., and Vikings founding the kingdom of Jorvik in 875, to the crowning of William The Conqueror by Archbishop Ealdred in 1066, and Joseph Rowntree building his revolutionary garden village in 1902.  We are also inspired to think about the circumstances we live in today and to consider what the future might hold.

Speaking about the film, Paul Richardson told us: “The brief was to capture the full 2000 year history which is more illustrious than many people realise but focus on the 800 year period from 1212 to the present day. We also have a forward-thinking progressive council so we needed to position York as a modern city with a bright future.

Thankfully everyone involved agrees that an impressionistic approach was the most appropriate, so that the pictures would do the talking, with judicious use of graphics. Ultimately we wanted to produce a film that people would enjoy watching and help create some buzz about the York800 celebrations this year.”

Time for the film to do the talking…