GUNNERS from Topcliffe, near Thirsk, will fire a 21-gun Royal salute in York’s Museum gardens at noon on Easter Monday, April 21, to mark the Queen’s 88th birthday. The new Royal Armoured Corps band will provide military music as its marches from Duncombe Place at 10.45 am to the gardens.

Easter baptism: The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, along with local church leaders, will be baptising Christians from different denominations on April 19, the Saturday. Thirteen people from local churches will be baptised outside York Minster by being totally immersed in a large tank of water, from 2.30pm.