A FESTIVAL celebrating older years will feature a range of free events when it begins later this month.

York’s 50+ Festival will begin on Friday, September 21 and will feature a packed programme of events until Sunday, October 7.

Highlights include events designed to help people keep active as they get older, from walking events and yoga to Tai Chi and Qi Gong, and dance classes including circle dancing, English country dancing or line dancing.

For those who find daily pain a challenge, there are a series of special events planned on the subject and others looking at good health.

Other sessions have been organised for “Halves”, those who find themselves without their life partner and there will also be a performance, No Kidding, about facing the challenges of ageing without children or relatives nearby.

A special service celebrating ageing in other cultures will be taking place at St Edward’s Church and elsewhere in the city will be singing sessions participants can get involved with.

Other events planned will focus on events including meditation, confidence-building, rowing, creative writing, fishing and French.

There will also be Fair Trade shopping events and information on the Older Citizens Advocacy Services available in York.

Before the festival begins there will be information fairs providing details of goods and services aimed at those in the 50+ age group. The next fair will be at The Spurriergate Centre and St Sampson’s Centre in central York on Tuesday, September 11.

York 50+ Festival programmes are available from libraries in York, the City of York Council offices, or by visiting the website; yorkassembly.org.uk/y1/Festival