York for Europe and Youth Hansa jointly hosted a visit to York and Beverley by young people from cities across Europe that belong to the Hanseatic League. It culminated with a concert, organised by York for Europe, held at The Unitarian Church in York on 4th April 2025. Two local groups of musicians took part: The Fruity Pebbles from Huntingdon School, and the Chapter House Youth Choir. It was a fantastic concert of a musical standard to make York proud. May there be many more....
On 3-6th April, York and Beverley were visited by 15 young people from European cities. These members of the modern day Hanseatic League, the "Youth Hansa", arrived in York on 3 April and spent two days in the city. In an event hosted by York for Europe they were joined on Friday by local York musicians: The stunning Chapter House Youth Choir and The Fruity Pebbles, an excellent soul/funk band. This was followed by a light supper and an informal chat between musicians and guests.
On Saturday, our European visitors will spend the day in Beverley walking the historic pilgrim trail and visiting the Minster, art gallery and museum, the craft market and watching the song and dance activities. The modern Hanseatic League was founded in 1980 in Zwolle in the Netherlands, to revive the cultural influence of its medieval trading predecessor. Its contemporary aims are to promote tourism, culture exchange, societal development and business links between the various towns in the League. The League also champions fair trade and sustainability between 200 towns and cities in northern Europe from 17 different countries including England and Scotland. ‘Youth Hansa’ is as important part of the Hanseatic League and connects young people from across Hansa towns in sharing interests and resolving contemporary issues that affect young people in particular.
York for Europe is a non-party-political organisation which exists to foster closer links with EU countries and their cultures. The group provides a platform for individuals in York and surrounding areas to maintain their support for European cooperation and unity. It is committed to identifying new and persistent difficulties that have arisen from leaving the EU, and to develop solutions to such problems, wherever possible.
Hamish Stewart, commissioner to the English towns of the Modern Hanseatic League which includes Beverley is the organiser of the visit of the Youth Hansa. Martin Brooks and David Wilson represent York for Europe,
It is our aspiration that York rejoins its historic place as a Hanseatic city.
To find out more about York for Europe and other activities, please explore this website.
Photographs are free to use provided York for Europe is acknowledged. Larger copies are available on request.
Here is an audio clip of the Chapter House Youth Choir performing this evening....
.... and here is an audio clip of the The Fruity Pebbles from Huntingdon School performing....
