Latest news with #StreetLife
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Brilliant York night out for the food and disco - but the toilets were awful!'
Here are the key facts, memories and photos in our look back at The Willow in York NEWS that one of York's most popular ever nightspots is to 'return' for one night only sent us delving into our archive, if not quite dusting down our dancing shoes. The Willow – the legendary York Chinese restaurant-turned disco in Coney Street, which closed ten years ago – is set to return to York for one night this month. The Willow Experience is part of the York Festival of Ideas and will allow those attending to 're-experience the Willow'. The event, on June 14, from 6pm to 7pm, involves the Willow Archives Stories, a series of six short archive films that share memories from the challenges and joys experienced by the family-run business, as well as why residents loved it and the venue's special last night. 1999: The Willow Restaurant, Coney Street. The screenings will mark the 10th anniversary of the Willow's closure and the launch of the Willow Community Digital Archive, a StreetLife project focusing on the communities of Coney Street. Admission is free but booking is required. Find out more here. To mark the resurrection of the Willow – albeit – for one night only, we have put together this gallery of images from the iconic night spot. Readers have also been commenting on the 'come-back' and sharing memories of their nights at The Willow; here is a selection: below, followed by The Willow in York essential fact file: Members of our nostalgia Facebook group, Why We Love York - Memories had some fine recollections to share about nights at York's most unusual disco Rosie Brannan wrote: "Absolutely loved The Willow; Chinese at it's best. Was so sorry to lose it." Julian Schofield posted: "Loved that place and Tommy - great nights spent there with the staff of Elliot's - would love for us all to meet up there on that night." 2015: Tommy and Sue Fong of The Willow in Coney Street, pictured ahead of its closing weekend. Picture- Frank Dwyer Richard Gatecliffe said: "Always had a great night there." Rebecca Kelly said: "Brilliant night out, food and disco etc, but the toilets were awful!" Sally Rowlinson recalled: "Your feet stuck to the floor." Legendary restaurant set to return to York for one night 'experience' First look: Pop-up bar and food stall from top TV chef opens in York 'It was the perfect storm' - real reasons behind sudden closure of York shop Meet the artist who draws York's best-loved pubs, shops and restaurants 1. The Willow in Coney Street has been part of York's social scene for decades; it dates back almost 90 years to 1936 when it was a cafe, of the same name. 2. In 1973, Tommy Fong took it over and it became one of York's more unusual - but super-popular - late-night spots. Part Chinese restaurant, part late-night disco, generations had enjoyed a late night bop at The Willow alongside a bowl of chow mein or a dish of prawn crackers. 3. Accessed through a set of steep steps, a night at The Willow was a must-do for locals and visitors alike. Inside The Willow Chinese Disco which closed its doors forever on Sunday 26 July 2015 4. When news broke that the much-loved venue was to close, more than 400 people signed a petition in protest. 5. A spoof video, titled Hitler Reacts to the News That Willow is Closing, also attracted almost 12,000 hits on YouTube. 6. Speaking to The Press back in 2015, owner Tommy Fong revealed why it had to close. He said his lease for the premises from its owner Aviva had expired in 2012, since when he had operated under a 'tenancy at will' lease, allowing the landlord to terminate it at any time, and he had been given four weeks to vacate the building. 7. It was an end of an era when The Willow staged its last dance on Sunday July 26, 2015. For die hard fans, York's night life was never the same again.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Students explore Whitehaven's history through 'Street Life' project
Mayfield School students have been delving into Whitehaven's history as part of the 'Street Life' project. The initiative, in collaboration with the Beacon Museum, allowed the KS4 students to explore the historical influences behind the town's street names. Under the guidance of Alan Gillon, the Beacon's learning and exhibition engagement manager, the students researched how historical events, industrial growth, and cultural shifts shaped the names of Whitehaven's streets. The project offered a practical, visual approach to learning about the town's past. By examining artefacts, historical sites, and industrial landmarks, the students gained a deeper understanding of Whitehaven's evolution. This hands-on experience sparked discussions and a 'greater appreciation' for the town's history, while also providing the students with work experience as they took on the role of tour guides. Through research and public speaking, they presented their findings, with the goal of building confidence and improving their social interaction skills. The project also included a creative element, where the students produced pop art representations of images from Whitehaven's past using felt tips and newspapers. The students also collaborated on constructing a 3D model of Whitehaven Harbour, recreating artefacts from the town's industrial history. These artefacts were arranged within a timeline, highlighting the harbour's role in the region's economy through its import and export activities. The project finished with an exhibition at the Beacon, where the community had the opportunity to view the students' work. In addition to exploring local history, students developed work experience by taking on the role of tour guides (Image: Supplied) Mr Gillon said: "The Street Life project has been invaluable for the KS4 pupils' development. "I am so proud of what they have all achieved over the past three months. "Working in partnership with Mayfield School and Lynn Kelly has demonstrated the strengths of community engagement. "The exhibition which the pupils have created is fantastic and their individual development as tour guides has been overwhelming. "This has been a brilliant and rewarding journey for everyone involved." Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council's executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "It's wonderful to see the students of Mayfield School working alongside the Beacon Museum to explore Whitehaven's rich heritage in such a creative and hands-on way. "The students have not only deepened their understanding of Whitehaven's rich history but also gained practical skills that will serve them well in the future. "I commend everyone involved in making the Street Life project such a success."
