Sponsored By Your Move Anscombs
Now it’s time to celebrate all the PLACES we missed during Lockdown 2020
This is the 5th Winners Blog – see if you or anyone you know was nominated below. Remember to check the other winners blogs HERE and check back each Monday and Thursday through July to see if you were nominated in any other categories too.
Initially we said that we would only publish the nomination comments when we got 5 or more but having read them all, we’ve decided to ditch that rule! Everyone who received a nomination deserves to read their message/s of thanks & support!
Thanks to our amazing sponsors of this category, Your Move Anscombs – we have some lovely certificates to give out to all nominees. We hope that it will be a lovely reminder for you in the future about how grateful the York community are for everything that you do and how much you have been missed.
If you are a nominee & you would like to claim your certificate then please fill in this quick form here so that we know where to send it to!
If you know any of the nominees, please be sure to tell them they’ve been nominated! We want to spread this lovely news far & wide.
Love from Emily & the team at York Mumbler x
P.S Coming next on Monday 20th July is the “We Missed Your Face” celebration blog.
If you are a winner, feel free to DOWNLOAD OUR WINNERS BADGE to display on your social media too.
Agility
- We miss parkour
- We used to go here weekly with our super energetic 4 year old! He was so sad in early lockdown and kept asking to go! Broke our hearts! He’s really missed it and I just can’t WAIT to see his face next time we’re able to go back! The staff there have always been so welcoming and kind and their cakes are delicious! WE MISS YOU AGILITY!
Alligator
- fabulous place offering pladtic free food since the 70s…before it became a trend
Ambiente Tapas
- For always creating a wonderful experience. It isn’t just about the food, it’s the atmosphere and staff that make this place too.
Arras
ArtVentures York
- Great business who have innovated to offer something unique for babies toddlers and kids virtually during lockdown. Lovely people, friendly, super professional and always offering a great service. A real attribute to the York community
Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park
- Great to see the students care so much about their animals
- It’s a great place, with friendly staff.
- My young children have loved visiting our local wildlife park frequently for the last couple of years so we have really missed going this last few months! The staff are so creative with the extra activities they put on for the school holidays – my 5yo loves a good themed trail!
Avocado Events
- We are missing the Teepee events this summer
Baby Swimmers
- My son Spencer has been swimming every Friday with Jane since he was 8 weeks old (now nearly 4) He misses his friends, swimming and Jane so much and always waves to Jane when we drive past roko!
Banners fish and chips new earswick
- The queue was huge but it was worth the wait! Great banter in the shop and the chips area amazing! Plus the challenge of the big fish!! Yum!
Barnitts
- Barnitts is an institution!
Beetle Bank Farm
- Fantastic place for kids of all ages (even ones in their 40s!) We missed the friendly staff, amazing cafe and cheeky animals. It’s a great place to visit whatever the weather is doing.
- My kids’ favourite place, and somewhere they will very glad to get back to!
- Rain or shine, we are at the farm on weekends and the staff are always really helpful. They take the time to show and explain the new animals to my little one. They are always trying to think of new things for the little ones and a yummy cafe.
- We love coming and hope to see you all as soon as you open
Beningbrough Hall
- So many happy memories of the kids exploring the gardens and playing in the playground
Bish Bash Pot
- Miss our pot painting with Angela
- Awesome shop, we loved the lockdown pack for Father’s Day but looking forward to coming into store too x
Bison Coffee
- Great coffee and I miss the chatting to the staff.
Brew & Brownie
- Brew & Brownie always provide such excellent service, wonderful food and a lovely, cosy space for spending time with friends. There are very few places that I enjoy spending time in with my friends but Brew & Brownie is always so comfortable, cosy, friendly and welcoming. It’s the only place I have really missed going out to during lockdown.
BrightSparks CIC
- Bright Sparks provide fabulous supportive parenting courses. With sensible, practical content and a huge focus on supporting parents to thrive.. Katie Ana Chris are amazing.
Brunswick Organic Nurseries
- For there organic produce and plants. A vital place for those adults with learning difficulties to thrive and learn.
Busk
- An amazing little cafe on fisher gate Where I used to go after work every Friday. Sophie had to close and had just opened for take away. It’s so friendly and I really hope it can bounce back
But First
- The staff have been doing deliveries since the beginning of lockdown. They offer amazing cakes which my children (and me!) absolutely love. It has provided some treats during lockdown and they are always delivered with a smile and positivity 🙂 Recently they have reopened for take away and it has been great to see them back, again it has been service with a smile and they have taken the necessary precautions to keep both staff and customers safe. Keep up the great work
Cafe no 50
- I miss going in for my cake fix. Jo opened towards the end of 2019 and it’s such a shame that her business was just starting to gain pace and it had to close due to Covid-19. I’m looking forward to returning.
- Cafe no 50 The cakes are devine and the staff are amazing
Chokodee martial arts
- My Daughter misses coming to your classes.
Coral Magson Swim School
- All the teachers at the swim school are so friendly, it’s like being part of a family… We can’t wait to be able to swim again!
- Because my boys love to learn to swim with them. We’ve been there since September 2019 and we can’t wait to get back!
- Because my son loves learning to swim!
- Both my daughters (8 & 5) are really missing their swimming lessons! They absolutely love swimming each week and we’ve missed it greatly – we can’t wait to see our lovely teachers (Judy and Louise) again soon xx
- My daughter loves attending and has grown in confidence since starting! Lovely friendly staff who are great with all the kids
- My son loves his swimming lessons and it’s such a valuable life skill.
- Swimming lessons have been such a regular part of our weekly routine for years, so it has been very strange not attending over the last 15 weeks
Creepy Crawlies
- Hot caffeine, tasty good cooked by someone else and baby entertainment!
- My boys (and me) love it there, the free messy play classes they do, the outside area, the slides, we are so grateful to have it in York and hope it survives this pandemic.
- My daughter has an awesome time when we’re there, it’s easy entertainment for her, we usually spend at least 3 hours at a time there! And tbh, their coffee and Brie toasties are lovely!
- my daughter loves to go here she is itching to return, she is missing the animals and the big climbing frame. They also tried to help people get basic baby supplies when the shops were short before the government forced them to close.
- My lb has always such a great time there, indoors and outdoors.
- My little boy misses the soft play fun to let off steam and I miss the delicious food but also the chance to mingle with other mums and families.
- One of my daughters favourite places to visit, so much to do there. The best soft play around. She is desperate to go back.
- Perfect place to go when you want to sit and chat with friends knowing that the kids are having fun and entertained!
- The children need to burn off some ENERGY and creepy crawlies is always welcoming
- The only soft play centre in Yorkshire my daughter loves attending, there’s so much to do for adults and kids too. ❤️
- The ultimate day out for my energetic girl and are Missed SO MUCH! Can’t wait for them to reopen
- Was good to tiring out the children and socialise with other mums
- We love this place for the soft play but also for the amazing outdoor area on a warm day. We love the sand and the water play the best and it’s often so quiet on a sunny day as everyone heads to more ‘outdoor’ places, so we miss being able to go! Also miss their delicious pizzas and coffee, and being able to meet friends there.
- Would have been perfect weather to start using the outside bit
- You never realise you miss something till it is no longer there! Creepy crawlies is a wonderful all round place for kids to do things and my girls love it and can’t wait to go back!
- We love visiting Creepy Crawlies and we have really missed it! We love the range of activities on offer and my toddler was a regular visitor since the big refurb at Christmas.
Crumbs Cupcakery
- I miss sitting having amazing tea and cake in the sun and looking at the Minster.
Curious Coffee Company Haxby
- The best breakfasts
- Such a lovely little cafe with an amazing menu and brownie to die for! We have ordered the brownies for home delivery and also grabbed the odd coffee when they have been open and pizza! Love this place!
Cycle Heaven Cafe
- My son and I visited this friendly, spacious and child-friendly cafe once or twice a week before lockdown. The staff are lovely and we always feel so welcome. They have a good selection of toys for little ones and so many delicious cakes.
Dinosaurs love fairy cakes
- Lovely place to go for a couple of hours in town. My little boy loves it, so did my friends and their children. The toys were all varied and exciting for different ages. Just what York needs!
- Amy and Zoe are amazing at running wonderful play groups for under 2s and under 1s. They are always there with a smile, a cup of tea and an amazing piece of cake! I couldnt have made it through my first year of motherhood without their setting and meeting some great friends and its just such a shame that for the past 13 plus weeks other mums will have been struggling without groups such as theirs.
Dream Time Baby Massage
- Having just moved to the area and had a baby, Katie, who runs the baby massage sessions, has set up a fantastic setting. Mums (and Dads!) can interact with their babies and have the chance to unwind with other parents following the sessions with tea and cake provided by Katie. I’ve met new friends and felt very much supported, even over lockdown.
- The safe and supportive atmosphere of the Dreamtime sessions, along with the opportunity for a cuppa and a chat after baby’s’ session is really missed. The comradeship that this group provides is so beneficial for new mums
- The space Katie creates for this gorgeous class is incredible. The Dreamtime class is so wonderful with a combination of massage, yoga, music and sensory is amazing and I often do the songs at home with my son as he loves them so much. The 1.5hrs after the class spent chatting with other mums and eating homemade muffins and drinking tea is so special and such a support to new mums like me.
Elite hairdressers
- Need a haircut and a bit of me time
En Pointe Dance School
- Because it is such a lovely place with brilliant, kind caring teachers
- both my children have attending en pointe for many many years and they have missed the dance studio and all its staff and their friends there! We can’t wait for it to reopen
- Harriet misses going to dance each week.
- My daughter is missing going to the dance studio so so much, she loves dancing with the other children and the dance teachers.
Energi Trampoline Park
- It is a great place for the kids to release energy.
- My 3 year old asks almost daily to go “bouncing”. Energi toddler sessions are her absolute favourite and she just cant wait to return!
Escape Hair
- Desperate to get my hair cut again.
Fountains Abbey
- We’ve all missed getting out into their beautiful landscapes.
Gateway church Tiny toes music.
- An hour of singing, community and live music for our little ones and their grown ups
Gentle Beginnings with Dorothy Marlen
- A lovely, calm nurturing space amid life’s chaos
- Such a lovely welcome, relaxed space and space for baby group and lovely supportive parents
Goosewood Caravan Park
- We really miss going swimming at Goosewood caravan park. It’s on my daughter’s list of things we want to do when it’s back open.
Heather Wilson hairdressers
- Every Friday for 40 years you’ve done my mother in law’s hair, more recently, (last 10 years) mine and childrens as and when. Who knew what to do without you. We miss you.
Heworth Gymnastics
- We used to go every week to the 4+ class and the more structured class and activities were enjoyed by myself and younger sun. He misses his teachers but also his friends.it was his 1hour let steam of class.
Hillary Patchwork Platt
- She has been making food parcels from the start of lock down been in bellfarm social every day and she is a poorly lady her self but she makes sure everyone is safe well and fed
Jazz Hands Dance
- An amazing place to learn dancing and feel part of a team. Jess makes the classes so much fun. Miss it so much
- Dancing twice a week with people who share my passion and love for dance keeps me going, not only is it great excerise but I’ve made some amazing friends too!!
- I miss dancing with all my friends and working towards our amazing show. I miss seeing Jess every week and having fun.
- I miss Jess’s wonderful dance classes & all the girls who I dance with.
- I miss the dance exercise and uplifting feelings that the routines given by Jessica Hardcastle gives us all . We leave happy , motivated and physically fitter in mind and body . Can’t wait to get back class .
- Learning to dance at Jazz Hands is the highlight of my week. Our wonderful teacher Jess is so inspirational and the camaraderie in class is second to none. Can’t wait to get my dancing shoes back on. Miss you all.
- Miss my fantastic dance class with the amazing teacher Jessica Hardcastle
- Missing my weekly jazz hands dance classes
- Not only do my children go to Jazz hands dance but I go to the adult class. We are all missing it so much. For me it is a chance to do something for me and as a busy working mum it’s so important to make me time. I miss this so much and all my lovely dance friends
- The classes with Jess were a highlight of my week! Her dedication, enthusiasm and pure talent are inspiring to everyone she teaches. In the run up to and during the annual show, there is a real feel of camaraderie and support, especially to those who would not normally “put themselves out there”. My son loves his classes at Jazz Hands Too! Even during lockdown I’ve caught him practising some of his moves. We can’t wait to get back to class!
- This is my daughters dance class. This is the place where it allows my daughter to express her feelings and emotions in a safe and friendly place. Everyone is super friendly and brilliant at dance
- Jess is an amazing dance teacher who offers dance classes for all ages and abilities at Jazz Hands. Jess is an inspiration to her dance students and to those who are lucky enough to watch one of her shows. Both of my daughters attend Jazz Hands and they have improved both their dance ability and confidence since joining these fabulous classes. I can’t rate Jazz Hands high enough and it is without doubt the best club that my girls could have joined! After an incredible show earlier this year they have really missed Jazz Hands and can’t wait to be back dancing with their friends and Jess doing what they all do best!
JC Barbers
- I NEED to take my little boy for his first Visit to Vinnie and the girls
- My husband and stepson are excited at the prospect of a professional haircut again! My youngest will look tidy again and won’t have to scream when I try to comb his long hair!
- We miss your friendly faces and cannot wait until you reopen….the hair situation is maximum bouffant for our six year old son!!
Joseph Rowntree Theatre
- A theatre run by volunteers, which showcases many amateur drama, dance, light opera, bands and other groups in the York area. The encouragement of talent given to so many, especially children is immeasurable. We look forward to seeing all the groups back on stage before too long.
- Because it’s a great theatre with excellent shows and entirely run by volunteers! Also, it was the last place I sang with my chorus!
- Being retired now, this amazing theatre has been a major part of my life. I miss the performances, of course, but also, as a volunteer, I miss the very social (and sociable) side of stewarding and helping to run the box office.
- I just love performing live theatre at this wonderful art deco theatres cinemas LA
- It is a special place run by volunteers for community activity and benefit.
- It’s such a friendly theatre, supporting local groups and while led by volunteers
- Lovely local theatreatment which let’s amateur groups showcase themselves . Completely run by volunteers
- Missed seeing amazing local productions being performed.
- Missing being able to watch shows at this amazing York venue.
- The JRT is run almost entirely by volunteers and its shows are highly popular, many of them also being by community groups. Closure has meant putting all this on hold but fundraising has carried on with lots of brilliant ideas on Facebook on other social media to keep interest and support alive.
- This is my favourite theatre in York.
KEEN York
- A very inclusive environment for all children, with caring and fun volunteers.
- KEEN provides sports sessions for children with special needs every week, but had to stop due to lockdown. The project is completely volunteer run and we can’t wait to get started again!
- KEEN York provides activities for children aged 3-16 with special needs and their siblings every Sunday. From Swimming sessions to sports sessions the volunteers work hard to provide amazing sessions but, sadly as it is a University run project it had to close in March. This year KEEN has gone to having 15 children at the last swimming session and around 10 at the Baking session which is a massive improvement in this year!
- KEEN York provides free and inclusive play activities to local children with special needs and their families every week, run by student volunteers at the University of York. Not only does it provide enjoyment and acceptance for the children, but also allows their families to watch them develop whilst taking a break from everything. During the pandemic the project has been sorely missed and all the children (as well as the volunteers) are eager to get back to KEEN for some more fun and games and get back to the KEEN team!
- Provide games and activities for children with special needs
- They are a student run volunteering group who provide weekly activity sessions for SEN children and children with learning difficulties. We miss them as they had to stop their sessions during the pandemic and now won’t reopen at least till term time begins again.
- They provide fun weekly sensory and exercise activity sessions for children with special needs
- They provide inclusive activity and play sessions for children with special needs and disabilities. Seeing the confidence of the children grow in such a supportive space is amazing.
Khao San Thai Bistro
- Most amazing Thai food!! Can’t wait to dine with them again!
Little lambs playgroup @ Lidgett Grove Methodist Church
- We have been going to this lovely welcoming playgroup Every Thursday morning since January 2018 and it is our Thursday staple, the group is so Inclusive and Natalie Bell who now runs the group as just amazing! I mourned this more than anything else
Martial Arts 4 U
- Endless time put into creating classes to keep members focsued, energised and to continue their love for martial arts. Did everything they can to provide different forms of classes & challenges, whilst keeping in the social distancing rules of lockdown.
Messy Beans
- My son and I love our weekly messy play session with the lovely Heidi and we’re missing them so much. Heidi has been amazing at providing resources, ideas and videos to inspire messy play at home and we can’t wait to get back to the group sessions.
- The owner was unable to run these fun, exciting and sociable sessions for people who really enjoy them.
Micklegate Social
- Best coffee in town. Friendly home from home.
Millers fish and chips, Haxby
- The best fish and chips ever! So glad to have you back open! 😊
Millfield Fitness Studio
- My favourite place to work out , so welcoming and friendly and inspiring
Minifigs & Bricks
- Great shop really friendly people love going to get my brick fix, can’t wait to go again
- Incredibly friendly like minded people with a wealth of knowledge on all things Lego who have provided a calm and happy place for me to visit when needing time out from the stresses of day to day.
- Great shop. Smallest Lego shop Wonderful staff, amazing stock
- As an afol (Adult fan of Lego) it is wonderful to have such a fantastic independent Lego shop to visit to get my fix of Lego. I am a collector of minifigures and there is always an adundance of them to buy. However it is the staff that make a visit worthwhile as they are friendly, knowledgeable and full of advice. Absolutely fantastic shop. Can’t wait until I can back there.
- I miss all the lovely people coming into the shop and keeping me on my toes! also miss buying lego and having fun at parties:)
- Miss the Lego parties they do for kids…and especially the brick selection..adults enjoy too
- A small business on the edge of the city which allowed us to go and feel welcome to talk all day long about our love of Lego!
Murton Park – Yorkshire Museum of Farming
- Lots to do and really friendly staff, have an annual pass and miss seeing them all.
- Love the open space and attractions
- Missing the soft play, the playground, the train rides and spending almost every Sunday there.
- So good for history. Also the Danelaw Village where I stayed many times. OK I don’t live in York, but I really have missed Murton Park 🙂
- Such a friendly atmosphere, with lots of great things for little kids, including animals, fairy garden, Roman fort , tractors and a lovely park with picnic area.
- We got an annual pass for our family last summer (absolutely incredible value!) and thoroughly enjoyed a couple of train rides and visits to the grounds last year. We really missed being able to visit again this Spring, but we were there shortly after the reopening for our first proper day out post lockdown and we loved it! I’m sure we will make many more visits over the summer.
- They are reopening with great outdoor trails for the family and social distancing measures in place. Keeping the children entertained and educated through out lockdown.
My Baby Can Dance
- We miss My Baby Can Dance class sessions
National Railway Museum
- Endless fun come rain or shine…. didn’t realise how much it was one of our main go-tos!
- For the perfect day our when the weather is rough!
- Great place to spend the day with the children.
Newtons Hairdressers
- They regularly cut mine and my daughter’s hair and Tracy is so patient with her (little wriggle bum!) . She knows she gets a lolly if she sits still. She desperately needs a haircut, as do I!
Northern Dance Academy
- Sarah and her team have made a huge effort to provide as many online classes as they possibly could over lockdown (Ballet and stretches and so on), but unfortunately not for the contemporary dance class my daughter attends. (They need more space than a lounge can provide). Sarah has however made a huge effort with as many people as she possibly could and I know she was always available if anyone needed anything. Even from her hospital bed she kept going. My daughter can’t wait to return so that she can prepare together with the other members of her Contemporary dance class for the next show.
- While they can still do ballet classes online which is great. I really miss doing contemporary, can\’t really do that in the living room 😕
Ouch Potato
- Such a fabulous place to work out and socialise at the same time! The online classes have been great but it’s not the same! Can’t wait to go back after lockdown.
Paddyfields Chinese, Haxby
- Because it’s delicious and my favourite take away.
- Great food
- Miss eating in here so much! Can’t wait for your take away service to reopen 😊
Partisan
- Just love the coffee and cakes, and excellent food.
- The absolute favourite in town with quality customer service and food. Hope it’s gonna work out for them going forward.
- Their veggie breakfasts are to die for! Can’t wait to eat one again! The whole vibe of the cafe is just lovely. I really miss the food and the wonderful staff. Can’t wait to see you all again when you reopen properly!
Patricia Veale School of Dance
- From the onset of lockdown PV School of Dance, and our fabulous Kelly Clarey, have continued to run online dance classes for all ages from the comfort of the children’s homes. Thus enabling them to continue to pursue their passion, dance with their friends, express themselves, maintain confidence, spend time with their adored dance teacher, feel valued, supported and loved through this difficult period. We are so blessed to have Kelly and the school helping to keep our childrens’ minds healthy, happy and active when everything else around them is falling away – it can only be of great benefit to them in the future. And #dadsdancingday was fabulous – testimony to Kelly’s draw and children’s adoration of the art form, that had so many Dads dancing with their children in celebration of Fathers’ Day yesterday 20th June 2020!! Kelly is an absolute superstar ⭐
Pear Tree Farm
- It was a great place to go especially on a rainy day, and somewhere we would often meet with friends or family. Brilliant food and ice cream too.
Pebbles Playgroup, Clifton Methodist Church
- I (& the children that I mind) have missed attending this lovely friendly playgroup on Monday mornings. The volunteers who run it always put so much thought & effort into running the playgroup & provide such lovely activities & opportunities for the children as well as always being there to talk to. They have kept in touch with all of the parents, carers & childminders who attend & have provided Zoom coffee mornings & suggested activities for the children throughout lockdown. Their kindness & thoughtfulness throughout lockdown has been really appreciated.
- Providing a wonderful space for children to play, learn and grow, allowing parents and care givers space to socialise and enjoy time spent with their little ones in a safe and motivating atmosphere
- This is such a fantastic playgroup that we have attended for almost 4 years. Since the start of lockdown they have arranged a weekly zoom coffee morning for parents and little ones to keep in touch. They have also provided activities for parents and little ones to do at home.
Pebbles Playgroup, Clifton Methodist Church Wonderful volunteers who organise different crafts, snack making and toy themes every week. It’s a very friendly and welcoming group. I love going for a chat and my children always have a great time.
Pig & Pastry
- A wonderful fixture at the heart of Bishy Road, very much missed right now.
- Because it is the BEST cafe in York. Amazing food friendly staff and I have missed meeting random people by sharing tables. Also their BAFTA…… enough said.
- I miss the Avo Deluxe, my home version just isn’t the same!
- The friendly atmosphere
- They are the most welcoming of venues, teams and serve the best food.
- Top cakes
- Warm cosy vibe, chat and the best latte in York. More of a community hub than a cafe.
- We were weekly visitors to the Pig and we really miss their friendly welcome, delicious food and the opportunity to chat to random people that join your table while you’re there!
- A place to take a well earned lunch break, with strong coffee and great food.
Piglets Adventure Farm
- Hands on with the farm animals, interactive fun for young children.
- My 4 year old asks me every week when we can go back again!
- My boys. They love it at Piglets- at one point we would visit every week!
- Piglets is just one of our favourite places to go and we miss every thing about it! The animals, the play barn, the fairy trail. We’ve missed seeing lambs and piglets being born. Piglets is our little magical escape! We hope the beach will be open again when we can go and visit!
- Such a lovely day out on our doorstep. We love the animals, playgrounds, tractor, fairy trail and entertainment like Magic Hatter
- We have been regular visitors here for the last 3 years and hold membership passes. We all miss Piglets so much! It’s the first place my kids want to go when lockdown ends!
- We just love it there and so does our little 2 year old
Plush Cafe
- Gorgeous, quirky atmosphere for coffee and chill. One very family afair business which has its customers at its hearts and selling good food and drink and providing excellent customer. Cannot wait to be back! X
- I have missed hanging out here most Saturdays… Getting in my blueberry lattes and indulgent slices of cake. The Boho room is a chilled out haven of Morrocan decor for resting tired feet and replenishing caffeine comfort.
- Loved going to Plush Cafe before lockdown to enjoy their range of coffees and foods.
- Plush Cafe is my favourite coffee shop, a relaxing place to meet up with friends and just chill over a fabulous coffee and some gorgeous cake.
Poppleton Centre
- Missing the community hub and range of activities.
Poppleton Under 5’s Playgroup
- Great place for young children to start their early education. Very much community driven and rely on charity… Poppleton under 5s in my opinion give great support…small groups of children and varied activities.
- The best preschool there is with the best staff!!
Portal Bookshop
- The most welcoming and inclusive place – like a treasure trove of gorgeous books, and always a lovely kind welcome. Genuinely a one of a kind place.
PQA York
- Because they bring kids together, keep them off the street. Build confidence. And give them life king skills
- Both my daughters love their Saturday mornings at PQA. Singing, dancing, acting and seeing their friends and all the amazing teachers there. They’re really missing it.
Pretty Paws Dog Grooming
- We had to give the dog a haircut during lockdown, the results were patchy and our appreciation of the team at Pretty Paws was even greater! They provided instructional videos and guidance which were invaluable – showing throughout their love for their work and the animals they transform. One much tidier dog in our house last week following their reopening!
Puddle Ducks Swimming
- For obvious reasons this is one kids group that has not been able to adapt to an online version and run through the lockdown. My daughter loves her swimming and it’s something I used to enjoy taking her to and have done since she was 4 weeks old (she’s now almost 4) I can’t wait for it Open to reopen again so she can get back to it and hopefully she will remember every she’s learnt in the last 4 years!
- For obvious reasons this is one kids group that has not been able to adapt to an online version and run through the lockdown. My daughter loves her swimming and it’s something I used to enjoy taking her to and have done since she was 4 weeks old (she’s now almost 4) I can’t wait for it Open to reopen again so she can get back to it and hopefully she will remember every she’s learnt in the last 4 years!
- We love our weekly swim it’s the highlight of the week. We can’t wait to get back to our lessons.
Red Goat
- My daughter attended for 6 years, four times a week and has missed all her friends so much 😪
Renni Prelle Complementary Therapies
- In a hectic world its vital to take some time for self-care and Renni is so skilled at helping you to feel relaxed the minute she greets you at her door. Her reflexology treatments take that relaxation to another level! Lock-down may have slowed down the pace of life but its been no less stressful. I’m very much looking forward to being back on her couch.
Rhythm Time York
- Rachel Marshall Welcoming atmosphere friendly faces
- Rachel Marshall Rachel has done a fantastic job with the virtual Rhythm Time classes. She has also created the members hub where she works hard to provide lots of great content to keep the children entertained. Through the members hub she has also created a kind and supportive online community for us all, which is so valuable to us all at this time.
Robinson’s cafe, Bishopthorpe Road
- For the friendly welcome and the AMAZING food and coffee
Rowntree Park Reading Cafe
- Convenient place to stop with baby and have a drink and a sit down, and meet friends
- It has such a lovely ambience, bacon sarnies to die for and beautiful views of the park.
- We miss the warm welcome and delicious food & drinks. The café is located in our favourite park and provides the perfect place to visit all year round. The staff are also friendly and helpful.
Sheriff Hutton Village babies and tots group
- Really miss seeing and meeting other mums and the support network there. Theres a Health Visitor drop in too so whether it’s a baby question or a need to see a kind face, share stories and woes and always with a brew. During lockdown, Margaret, the wonderful joyful lady who runs it (and looks after us all) has set up a baby and toddlers book library to keep us going!
Source
- I miss your nachos! Best nachos ever!
Spurriergate Centre
- A gentle, accepting extraordinary place for quiet, coffee, chat, drawing breath.
St Paul’s C of E Primary School, York
- We miss all the children being able to go to school in their normal setting. Miss Waite and all the staff however have been incredible at keeping in contact with all of the schools pupils and in creating an engaging and easy to follow ‘home school’ routine. We think you’ve done an AMAZING job and would have found the whole experience so much harder without the excellent support from school, so thank you!
- For going above and beyond to make home learning fun whilst providing a safe and happy place for all key worker kids
Stables Yoga
- Great place to meet pregnant women and chill out
- Awesome yoga studio with great pregnancy and post natal classes.
Starbrite studios
- Because they offer wonderful dance classes that not only expand me knowledge but give a great place for social interactions from early years to adults!
Swimming with Linzi
- Absolutely amazing swim school. Such a brilliant teacher. My daughter was late to swimming and never would of learnt without linzi. Miss her so much x
- Because she added fitness and fun into my children’s week whilst teaching them a vital life lesson such as swimming
- Brilliant swimming lessons, great teaching, relaxed parents and happy kids splashing about causing chaos!
- Her lessons are fantastic she treats every child as an individual and nurtures a love.of being in the water and makes it fun. My son can’t wait to go back.
- Lovely warm welcoming swimming lessons for babies & preschool.
- My daughter absolutely loves swimming with Linzi. She has a relaxed but structured style and tailors each class to the child’s individual abilities. My daughter hasn’t stopped asking to go back since classes were stopped before lockdown but Linzi has continued to keep us updated where she can and provide online videos for activities children can do in the bath.
- My little girl absolutely loved her swimming lessons and so gutted that they had to stop because of COVID
- My son misses swimming with Linzi so much, he joined her classes just after starting school last year and he has become much more confident in the pool, he enjoys going each week and can’t wait for the classes to restart.
- My two children love Swimming with Linzi so much and haven’t stopped asking when they can return. Instead we have had to recreate our swimming lessons in the paddling pool, I will be very happy to hand the reigns back to Linzi soon :).
- My two children love their weekly lessons with Linzi. My son has been practicing his swimming in the bath and the paddling pool.
- She has given my little girl so much confidence in the water. She kept being nervous about going under the water but Linzi was patience and didn’t force it on her. Would definitely recommend her to everyone
Tamar’s Toy Box
- Tamar’s toy box is a fantastic little shop that not only sells toys but also let’s the children have a little play or craft session and the mums can have a lovely chat with tamar the owner.
- She has been amazing and supporting the local community through out lockdown.
- Tamar’s toy box Bishopthorpe Such a lovely little shop. During lockdown Tamar has worked so hard at keeping the community stocked up with crafts & gifts. Lots of free activities for example treasure hunts.
- She’s lovely and has worked really hard to be supportive to the local community throughout the coronavirus epidemic
- Because Tamar is always smiley to everyone and goes that extra mile to help. Children love her, actually everyone loves her.
- It was such a great place not just for toys but for crafts, parties. My Sen son loves it there. She’s so kind and accommodating even when he is trying to destroy everything. Incredibly family friendly. Always interacts with the kids on their level. She will sit and play with my son on the floor gauging interest in toys or whilst I’m browsing. Miss this little gem of a shop so much.
- We have thoroughly missed the story times and crafts for little ones. It is a place my preschooler loves to go and she has thoroughly missed.
- Tamar is so lovely and helpful. Popping into her shop was a lifesaver with 2 little ones on mat leave. She’d entertain the toddler, make me a hot drink and have a chat whenever I went in and has been really missed on lockdown.
- For her efforts during the lockdown in the village
- Miss going in and browsing all the toys and having a coffee and chat.
- She goes above and beyond for her customers even through lockdown she is done everything she can for her community. Great inspiration.
- Going the extra mile with a smile and being their to cheer us all up at a time of great sadness she is a rainbow that never shops shining
- Tamar has placed things around the village to keep children active throughout lockdown! What a star 🌟
Tesco Askham Bar
- The staff have always been so lovely and genuinely taking my two year old shopping has always been a fun trip out 😂 We miss Mandy so much.
The Balloon Tree Farm Shop & Cafe
- The food, drinks and ambience are awesome, can’t wait for a poached egg on sour dough with a latte 😋
The Blue Babikan
- Because the food is amazing.
The Blue House Bookshop
- A beautiful, new business which never had the first year they deserved. Karen created an online shop and offered free local delivery during lockdown. A treasure trove of a shop which needs to be acknowledged.
The Dark Horse Espresso Bar
- Missed your lovely coffee and anzac biscuits. It is great you have managed to get back to the Shambles Market, and make adaptations to your business to keep all customers safe. Well done Laura.
The Island
- We miss your young people groups and family activity days. Also the mentors have been greatly missed during these last few months. My Son is missing the interactions. Stay safe and keep up the fabulous work, volunteers and staff at the Island. York young people look forward to returning soon.
The Loving Type
- Katey does great prints and offers a fab service and I know she missed doing her job loads during lockdown.
The Shop of Small Changes
- I miss popping along to get my household cleaners and toiletries refilled (and check out some fabulous eco friendly products). Mel is such a lovely, helpful person. I’ve missed my visits!
The Volunteer Arms
- This was the first pub we visited when we moved to York over 8 years ago, as it was are local. We were hopeful it was a good pub & it did not disappoint. Not only do they do a great selection of real beer & have great entertainment. But on that first visit the landlady Helen talked to us & we told her we’d just moved in round the corner. She asked our names & never forgot them. We’re not there every night or week for that matter but as soon as we walk in, usually on a Friday night after a long week at work, Helen says hello & gets the glasses ready to pour our usual. We love it!
The Yoga Revolution
- Chloe came to the rescue as soon as lockdown was announced with access to zoom classes and an ever increasing number of recorded classes. She always keeps us motivated with wit and humour both through classes and emails or blogs. TYR has become a staple part of my family’s life for good!
- So welcoming
- The welcoming energy & love
Theatre in Schools
- Theatre in School provides drama and craft workshops for children in local schools and university families. Due to lockdown all the fun things they had planned for the summer had to be cancelled!
- Theatre in Schools is a student group from the University of York who work with children and families to bring stories to life through drama, games and craft activities. They are friendly and inclusive and make a special effort to get everyone involved in the fun. They run groups in schools and in the local community ranging from craft activities to play in a day productions.
- Theatre in Schools is a student-led volunteering group based at the University of York that goes into local schools and community settings to run drama, storytelling and craft sessions for children. For many children who attend, Theatre in Schools is their first experience of theatre and performance, and they also benefit from the chance to develop their creativity, independence and self-expression. The volunteers work incredibly hard to improve the experience of attendees. For example, last year the Theatre in Schools team helped Year 6 pupils at Osbaldwick Primary School to create a Shakespeare-inspired play, which involved helping the children to create a script as well as hand-making props and costumes for them to use. This was to be repeated this year, but could not go ahead due to lockdown and school closures. Similarly, Theatre in Schools has been unable to run a summer holiday programme this year; in the past, community sessions for families have taken place in collaboration with venues in York including Spark and the Rose Theatre. Despite this, the group is busy planning how to restart sessions safely in the autumn, as well as creating new school programmes for the future. Theatre in Schools also runs sessions to support families based at the university, and has recently expanded to run craft and storytelling workshops for children from military families at Fulford garrison in association with the Army Welfare Service, helping these children to feel less isolated. Some children are very shy when they first attend Theatre in Schools, and it is always great to see them build confidence over the course of the programme.
Thomas Frederick Hair Designs
- Great hairdresser, independently owned. Really miss going for my hair appointments with Steve.
Thora & The Prince
- Who doesn’t miss a catch up with lovely local shop owner Rachel, and the perfect selection of gifts and cards ❤️
- Delighted to see the gift shop back open, thank you for your doorstep deliveries during lockdown
Tiny Toes Music by Nicola Betts
- Serving the community and entertainingly our children at the Gateway community centre.
- She is an inspiration and fantastic singer musician My granddaughter loves going to her session She has been providing on line sessions since lockdown.
- Tiny Toes Music is the best music group in York! It has a great balance of structure, variety and flexibility
- We love this group, it has been the highlight of mine & my daughters week since she was born. The sense of community nurtured here & the love of music instilled is wonderful. It’s something which we have both benefited from, my daughter loving interacting with other children, playing instruments, learning new songs & for me there is just something so lovely & healing about singing in a group with other people. We have really missed ‘Music Group’ (as my daughter calls it).
Tiny Tots
- Great toddler group for the little ones and grown ups!
- My daughter misses going to Tiny Tots so much, it’s run by Jennie Woodings and Carol Henk. My daughter has been going since she was 4 months old, she’s now 3 and has barely missed a week! It’s been hard trying to keep up with her routine but Carol and Jennie have personally emailed me to ask how she was and how my pregnancy was going and now ask about my newborn son.
- My daughter misses going to Tiny Tots so much, it’s run by Jennie Woodings and Carol Henk. My daughter has been going since she was 4 months old, she’s now 3 and has barely missed a week! It’s been hard trying to keep up with her routine but Carol and Jennie have personally emailed me to ask how she was and how my pregnancy was going and now ask about my newborn son.
Tiny Tumblers
- Amazing service, keeping tots entertained.
- My children love their stay and play sessions which they run in the school holidays. They also run fab parties.
- We have attended the summer classes last couple of years. And were hoping this year would be happening. But they sent out a free activity pack which my son was so excited to receive thanks so much
Tullivers
- Had to close due to lack of other options and now back to business. They do everything they can for the customer as always.
Turtle Tots Swimming
- We’ve missed turtle tots so much, and this has made us realise how much we all valued being able to go swimming.
University of York Library
- I spent 5 days a week studying there before lockdown, even though I’m actually a student at Sheffield. They were always welcoming, and it was my quiet haven of peace to get work done. I can only fantasise about a quiet place to work now! And I doubt us outsiders are going to be let back in any time soon.
University of York Theatre in Schools Project
- Such a great organisation, providing fun and educational theatre workshops on campus and in primary schools, and they have been unable to run during lockdown
Visit York Visitor Information Centre
- Such a friendly, knowledgeable bunch! The team are back to help local residents and visitors to get the best from our beautiful city.
Water Babies
- Because we are missing our amazing swimming lessons – having to do them in the bath just isn’t the same 🙂
- Our son not only loves attending his swimming lessons, and asks to go on a regular basis, but he has also learnt some amazing survival skills in the water!
- Our son not only loves attending his swimming lessons, and asks to go on a regular basis, but he has also learnt some amazing survival skills in the water!
- Our water babies class with Zoe was honestly the highlight of our week pre lockdown. As a mum, I have been so lucky to have a year on maternity leave and attend lots of groups with our daughter, but we wanted Water Babies to be something Daddy & Daughter did together. I can’t even begin to tell you how much joy the lessons give us. Our daughter, Sophie, absolutely loves the classes and has become so confident in the water- this in turn has been amazing to watch as parents, and for her dad to be a part of, supporting her on that journey. Our teacher, Zoe, is brilliant; she always remembers all the baby’s names and is so caring, adapting the classes to the baby’s needs, offering so much encouragement. You can really tell she loves her job, it shines through and her smile is contagious. Our Sunday afternoons just haven’t been the same since the pools shut, Water Babies was always something we looked forward to. We can’t wait to get back swimming again!
- Our weekly swim lessons were something which Dad could lead with our daughter & which our daughter loved. The passion of the teachers make it so enjoyable & a breeze to get your little ones in the water!! Can’t wait to be back!
- They have worked so hard to keep us up to date and informed on our skills.
- Cannot wait to get the youngest back in the water! She’s missing her weekly lessons so much.
- Our weekly swim lessons were something which Dad could lead with our daughter & which our daughter loved. The passion of the teachers make it so enjoyable & a breeze to get your little ones in the water!! Can’t wait to be back!
- We miss Waterbabies swimming so much, it’s the highlight of our week and we can’t wait to get back in the pool!
Well-Being Hospital Choir
- A friendly community choir for York hospital staff and patients and members of the public.
- Nicola Betts has missed leadng the Well-Being Hospital Choir at the hospital as I am sure have all the singers, a really well being time.
- Weekly singing sessions with this wonderful group have been greatly missed by all participants. Singing is so good for the soul and to do so in a safe, secure and encouraging environment such as that provided by the well being choir has left a huge gap. Who knows when we will be able to meet again and sing together – sorely missed at a time when it is most needed following isolation, to lift spirits and bring people together in support of one another.
- Missed our wonderful choir mistress Nicola Betts and all the choir members. Every week she lifted all our moods and made our singing session, uplifting, and fun. After our sessions everyone felt so much better it’s so therapeutic . Nicola set up what’s app and Facebook to keep us all in touch as most of us are of a certain age and needed to isolate. She also had a zoom session for us all to sing some of our favourite songs.
YIK YAK
- Missing all the social events and support groups
York Army Museum
- Because it’s an accessible learning resource for my A level students who visit the museum to help them with their coursework which is about the changing nature of warfare.
- Great museum, looking forward to going back when it reopens
- I like the displays
- Kept working during lockdown to keep the Museum in the public eye, got ahead of the training curve
- Our family love the thoughtful children’s activities, crafts and handling sessions the museum runs throughout the year. The staff and volunteers are really friendly and knowledgeable and have so many interesting stories to share.
- Really love the timeline and looking at the displays.
- Small and welcoming museum. With a well displayed collection, interatives for younger children and regular object handling sessions and special events. I particularly like the changing temporary exhibitions. Being so close to Yorks larger attractions it ought to be better known than it is.
- Small museums don’t have big advertising budgets so would be nice for them to get a shout out and i know the staff work very hard and do a great job.
- The collections are brilliant, the redevelopment brought something new and different to York. I have attended and organised different public events there, and it’s been such an asset to the community.
- York Army Museum is a fantastic little museum – and you don’t have to be part of the military to love it! The staff are all very friendly and welcoming, and the museum exhibits are so very well chosen, and imaginatively displayed, giving insight not just to the military history of the Yorkshire Regiment and Royal Dragoon Guards, but also to the social history that surrounds them. The museum offers something of interest to people both young and old, with an added bonus of being very dynamic in hosting cultural events, and interactive experiences for young people
- York Army Museum is a little gem of local military history – always fascinating to visit. The special exhibitions they put on several times a year are interesting & educational. I always take friends & family to the museum when they are visiting me in York.
- York Army Museum is a lovely little museum, packed full of interesting information and exhibits. The staff and volunteers are really knowledgeable and friendly. There’s a new temporary exhibition a couple of times a year to keep repeat visitors happy and they try and do extra activities for families as often as possible.
- York Army Museum York Army Museum is a welcoming ,vibrant and inspiring place to visit. It brings alive our military history through it’s fascinating exhibitions, clear displays, and fun-filled hands-on activities. It provides a platform for exploring many different aspects and effects of war not always clearly obvious through thought-provoking talks and emotive plays. It acknowledges important anniversaries in the story of our nation and links in with many significant York events. York Army Museum is truly a little Gem. We can’t wait to visit it again!
York Baptist Church
- Really miss meeting with my church family during lockdown, especially our annual holiday club at Easter, which got cancelled due to lockdown.
York City Gymnastics Foundation
- Our little one just loves her minis gym class with Danielle. All that climbing and jumping, building confidence to try new things and develop her skills. She’s been practicing her forward rolls, hopping and walking on the balance beam (garden planter) ready for going back.
- My grand daughter loves to go. It’s good exercise and teaches discipline Danielle is very patient with the little ones
York Explore Libraries
- A local refuge to pass an hour looking at books, drinking tea and eating tea cakes which we have visited regularly since my eldest was a baby (six years eek). We have enjoyed holiday activities, drop ins and community events and miss having it open for some free/ low cost fun.
- All the libraries, but for us specifically Acomb, central and poppleton. We usually visit a library at least once a week. With a Book loving toddler and a baby, it’s a great place to go for a change of scenery, there’s usually some activities to do, story times, play mornings etc. You never need to worry about where you’ll change the baby etc., and best of all, they’re completely free! We are still a bit lost on a rainy morning, when our previous go to would always have been a trip to the library.
- It is a safe and nurturing place to take the kids every week for a tea cake and down time!
- We visit for books, stories, coffee, events, a safe place to play and we have missed the welcoming, friendly and supportive place.
- Books and coffee and the perfect place for mummies to meet and little ones to play and learn
York inspirational Kids
- Helping so many families online with desperately needed support and advice.
- Interaction with others in a safe space to discuss and learn from shared experiences
- Provides invaluable support and access to activities for families with children with special needs.
- Ruth and her team run a forum online for other parents to talk to one another and offer help and advice . They set up brilliant events that all children with additional needs an their siblings can get involved in where there wouldn’t otherwise be the opportunity. They run Sports clubs for kids that embrace additional needs and are a welcoming place. There’s so much more that they do that I’ve not covered but they give hope and enjoyment to often very weary parents, and a whole host of opportunities to children who otherwise would miss out.
- Saturday club is brilliant for meeting children and families
- We’re missing all the activities provided for disabled children and young people and seeing all their smiling faces
York Pilates People
- Although YPP offer great virtual classes, I miss the studio for the added guidance provided by the tutors and the laughs each group class provides.
- Lou has worked so hard over the last few years to create an amazing studio space on Clifford Street, with a safe, welcoming, friendly community for every body of every age. We miss the studio hugely!
- The friendly, welcoming, caring but challenging approach they take to delivering pilates and yoga
York Scrubs
- A totally dedicated and hard working group of volunteers who have been cutting out, sewing and delivering scrubs and masks to all the hospitals & care homes in and around York. They have worked 6 days a week for the whole of lockdown & distributed nearly 3000 outfits.
York Stage School
- Fantadtic productions with oustanding talent
- York Stage school provides my daughter with drama lessons which are have increased her ability in acting and singing dramatically whilst providing her with a fun and friendly place to learn and socialise. She’s been missing her lessons dreadfully and can’t wait to return.
York Steiner School
- Brilliant school, brilliant employer, special and committed community of people.
York Suzuki Early Childhood Education – Laura Wingrove
- These music classes are just wonderful. Friendly, welcoming, and musically of a really high standard. It’s wonderful to see the individual attention each child receives, and the little ways they progress both musically and socially week by week. Laura is a fantastic teacher and really observes and engages with the children.
York Theatre Royal
- Great food and community spirit
York’s Kestral Specialist School
The Bungalow The amazing support they give their children in their care is above outstanding! They change children & parents lives.
Yorkey Dads / York Menfulness
- York Menfulness provide Social circuits on a Tuesday night which gave me routine exercise as well as a place to be heard and vent as well as offering an ear for like minded chaps to do the same. It\’s been sorely missed (especially around the waistline!)
Yorkshire Museum
- A second home for my toddler and me! A fantastic hands-on place full of wonder to while away an hour with a preschooler (we will miss the hands on part when it reopens 🙁 )
