What’s Occurring York* was first launched in 2010, and relaunched in 2020. It was about time I was back.
I am Rachel Lacy, I started as a freelancer providing live music reviews for The Press In York back in 1989 (yes I am THAT old). I moved on to doing the gig guide, then after a stint on their website I became the Editorial Assistant and took over virtually all of the events listings amongst other things. I also wrote about York’s history six days a week, giving me some random in depth knowledge of some very niche things. I must have been doing something right with the listings as I had an honourable mention in a York Civic Trust Annual Awards as a “community asset.”
I’ve done a lot of other things since leaving that job, and I always wanted produce my own events listings, but could never quite find the right software, the right reason, the right time… all the usual things that stop us doing what we want whilst we concentrate on what we think we need. Every time a contract ended, I would think about what I would do next and what was I good at, and always it came back to this.
Why did I bring it back this time? At the end of the first lockdown, I was getting my fix of live music via buskers, and I wondered how local musicians and pubs would fare once the restrictions were lifted. I thought bringing back What’s Occurring York would help. I hope it has.
Also, I am very much enjoying this.
I am currently working towards two goals: making this my job so time is not going to be an issue again, and creating a one-stop-shop for people living in or visiting York. A a Yorkie born and breed, I am trying to create pages that will be beneficial, whether you were born here or settled now in our lovely city, for residents alongside the music and events. I have ambitions for this site.
*The name is NOTHING to do with Gavin and Stacey. When I worked at The Black Swan the landlord – the late, much missed Andy Cross – would greet me with “what’s occurrin’, Rach?” in a Leeds accent. Not Welsh. Every time I think about changing the name, I remember Andy, and can’t bring myself to do it. What’s Occurring it remains.