December 2025

Our latest news

Launching our new table tennis class

We're delighted to say that our table tennis class is getting a makeover! New start, new venue: we'll be meeting from 6 January at the York Stadium Leisure Centre, Monks Cross, YO32 9AF.


The centre is easy to get to by bus, including the Park & Ride every 10 minutes from the city centre, or by car.


Want to know more? Email us or call us on 07943 137616  and leave a message.

Mooving story of a panto Dame

The fabulous Robin Simpson from York Theatre Royal got a roaring welcome at our November meeting. The panto favourite entertained with all the traditions - full costume, songs, jokes and call-outs - oh yes he did! Along the way he told the fascinating history of all the panto characters from the principal boy to the outrageous Dame.



You can see Robin and the rest of the excellent cast in Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal until Sunday 4 January.


Help on the buses

David Smith, York Council's Access Officer, sent this helpful message via York Older People's Assembly:
 'If you have an older person’s bus pass and travel on First Bus to a medical appointment (eg, at the hospital, GP, Health Centre) before 9.30am, you can travel free providing you show your card and an appointment letter, or an official text message.'
Pictured: Frist Bus and the council launch all-electric bus services and the country's first zero-emissions depot last year.

Rugby on offer

York Knights rugby league club is offering tasters for walking rugby to our branch members. The initiative via the club’s charitable foundation is aimed at establishing regular sessions through the year.

 

Walking rugby has all the fun of the big game, but without tackling or scrums. A smaller pitch means players can keep fully involved as the ball moves around.

 

Just come along to the next one and give it a try! The next session is on  7 November, 1-2pm, cost £6 including a hot drink. All sessions are held at the LNER Community Stadium, YO32 9AF. More information from York Knights .

Stop press: there will be more sessions starting in January - details soon

 

The club is also running fish & chip Friday sessions for people to get together for lunch and a chat. The cost is from £6. You don’t need to be a player! These are held on the fourth Friday each month so the next is Friday 21 November. This one’s at York Manor Care Home, owned by Tanglewood, Shipton Road, YO30 5RA.

Celebrating our fantastic fundraisers!

It’s been a busy couple of months on the fundraising front so a big thankyou to everybody who has organised events, made donations or put in the hard yards.


Eating out

Deborah and Mike Broadhurst have a number of friends affected by Parkinson’s around the Haxby and Wigginton area and wanted to show their support. Around a hundred people attended their fundraiser at the Parvin Restaurant in Haxby in August. As well as superb food, guests enjoyed a fun quiz and raffle, raising £1,000 for York Branch. The money will support of our programme which encourages people affected by Parkinson’s to keep active and engaged.

And then Deborah and Mike went a step further (well, several steps actually) and completed the Great North Run, raising another almost £700 to support the Parkinson’s UK appeal to fund specialist nurses across the UK.


Half marathon

Also joining the 60,000 runners at the Great North Run on 8 September was popular York Branch member Andrew Miller who completed the course with his Nordic poles, supported by our walk leader Rebecca Gospodarczyk. This was a remarkable achievement and the culmination of two years of training. Andrew and Rebecca were spurred on by good wishes and generous donations from our walking footballers, Nordic walkers and PD Warriors who have all been inspired by Andrew’s determination and commitment. So far Andrew has raised over £2000 but you can still donate at https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/andrewmiller32134/great-north-run

 

Walking

 

Last but not least, congratulations to committee member Mike Sullivan who completed the Walking for Parkinson’s event at Temple Newsam on 21 September. Mike has also exceeded his £1000 target after tackling the six mile course. You can still support Mike by donating at https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/michaelsullivan with all proceeds supporting the Parkinson’s nurses appeal. And let’s also give a shout out to Mike’s partner Sue and PUK’s Tracy Westgarth who supported Mike on the day.

Delighted Mike and Sue are pictured crossing the finish line.

 

Can you help our committee?

We need people to help run the branch. Could you take up a committee role, such as membership secretary? Or perhaps you could shadow one of our committee members and help out with their work. Or maybe you could simply volunteer for one-off projects.


Any time you can spare will be a big help to keep our branch doing all the activities we offer in support of our members. Email us at info@yorkparkinsons.co.uk if you'd like to have a chat about what you might be able to offer.