[visiongallery set= 72157629695081796]
Photos: Vivan Jayant
On the 800th anniversary of the momentous York Charter, Hull Road Park played host to Celebrate York, a magnificent day of fun, games and music served up by York students for the local community.
The Pantomime Society, rock band Taming the Savage and many others, delivered some truly memorable performances for a tremendous crowd.
Other societies which charmed those who came along included Juggle Soc, the Octopush and Water Polo clubs and Caledonian Soc.
Enjoying the afternoon sunshine and the entertainment on show, YUSU President Tim Ellis told Vision: “It’s fantastic seeing what students can do for the local community. Sometimes we get a bad press but the families here can see what we have to offer them.”
Josh Allen, head of press and publicity, said: “We are very impressed with the turnout which has overwhelmed our expectations; we’ve had a few hundred people here.”
One of the most popular events of the day was Pantomime Society’s mini performance, Jill and the Beanstalk, which included starring roles for Matthew Lecznar as Babe Easy The Dame and Rhys Hayes as the evil Green Giant, who insisted to the young crowd that he wasn’t Shrek.
It was directed by Lowrie Robertson and Joe Gibbons, who claimed, “It was one of the best performances we have ever done. The cast were absolutely fantastic.”
The next major act saw student band Taming the Savage wow the audience with their hits, including the old favourite, One Thing.
Then the dazzling music and dance provided by the Turkish Society, who had been rehearsing for six months, captured the imagination of all.
The society also invited their fellow countrymen from the equivalent societies at Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle to participate in a unique celebration of Turkish culture.
Led by Graeme Osborn, it was the University of York Brass Band who delivered the stirring final act, rounding off a hugely enjoyable afternoon.
With the event almost certain to become an annual celebration and not just a one-off, Student Activities Officer James Croydon said: “It is part of a wider strategy we’re trying to do on community engagement. There’s been something for everyone here today.”