THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Friday, November 21, 2025

Good morning, York! ☕

Grab your thermals and watch your step – it’s brass monkeys out there with ice warnings until midday. But don’t let the cold keep you in! From Muppets to mulled wine, ceilidhs to Christmas shopping, we’ve got everything you need to make today brilliant. Here’s your Friday briefing...

🌤️ WEATHER

Brass monkeys weather alert! We’re looking at a chilly 4°C today with a yellow ice warning until midday. Yesterday’s snow left the county at a standstill - watch those pavements and stay safe out there!

📰 NEWS

🚨 100+ wheelchair users turned away from First York buses - Over nine months, 140 wheelchair users couldn’t board First buses - 112 because buses were “full”. Disability advocate Flick Williams, refused three times herself, calls it “deeply humiliating” and like “eating dirt” at the bus stop. First says it’s just 0.001% of journeys, but the community isn’t buying it. [York Press]

⚠️ Arctic blast brings ice warning and travel chaos - Yellow ice warning in force until midday as wintry showers continue. Yesterday saw 30+ schools closed and major roads gridlocked after up to nine inches of snow hit North Yorkshire. Hundreds of properties lost power and phone signal. Arctic air has brought York’s first proper taste of winter - and it’s not done yet. [Gazette Herald, Gazette Herald]

🚂 Major rail disruption after person hit by train - All lines blocked yesterday between York and Doncaster after a tragic incident. Emergency services attended and lines have now reopened, but delays continue. If you’re struggling, Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123. [YorkMix, Gazette Herald]

👮 Armed police patrols in city centre squares - Specially trained officers have been highly visible in St Sampson’s and St Helen’s Squares this week. It’s Project Servator - unpredictable policing to disrupt crime and terrorism while reassuring shoppers. Don’t be alarmed, but do report anything suspicious. [Gazette Herald]

🎗️ Independents snatch Ripon seat from Lib Dems
Political shake-up in Ripon as Independent Sherrie Hunt wins Ure Bank Ward with 500 votes, leaving Lib Dem mayor Barbara Brodigan without a council majority. A parish poll on confidence in the mayor hits next Thursday - this is getting spicy. [YorkMix]

👁️ Missing man from Edinburgh may be in York - Police Scotland are searching for Roderick Nisbet, 52, last seen in Edinburgh Wednesday morning but believed to have journeyed to York. He’s 6ft 4in, bald, medium build, wearing a navy jacket. It’s unusual for him not to tell family where he is and concerns are growing. Seen him? Call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1538. [Gazette Herald] [York Press]

🚔 12 arrested in shop theft crackdown - Police arrested twelve people across York and North Yorkshire during Safer Business Action Week for retail crime and antisocial behaviour. One “prolific” shoplifter was charged with seven offences. Officers worked with Tesco, M&S, Boots and independents, distributing crime prevention leaflets and promoting Shopwatch schemes. High-vis patrols continue. [Yahoo News UK]

🚗 TRANSPORT

🚌 Major Micklegate traffic shake-up to free up buses - Private cars will be banned from using Rougier Street and George Hudson Street as through routes under plans that could launch next summer. The “Rougier Route” will create a one-way loop via Tanner Row, Toft Green and Micklegate, saving buses 3-5 minutes per journey. Over 1,000 buses use the corridor daily - that’s half of York’s bus services. Drivers breaking the rules get warning letters for six months, then fines. Consultation runs until January 12. [YorkMix]

💼 BUSINESS

🏆 York architects win major Scottish competition - brown + company on Blossom Street has bagged first place in Scotland’s National Design Ideas Competition for a stunning Portobello Promenade project. Their design features locally-sourced timber, inclusive facilities, and a community garden. The judges called it “quietly confident” with “simple charm”. One for the trophy cabinet! [YorkPress]

🍴 Caramba directors banned for five years - Dale Laverick and Alessandro Da Silva, who ran Caramba Steakhouses in York (Stirling Road) and Selby, have been disqualified as directors for five years. While their company owed £100,000+ including £76,788 in unpaid rent, they tried leasing an Audi and Lamborghini. Their continued trading added £180,000 to company debts before liquidation. The Insolvency Service called it “utterly unreasonable and unacceptable.” [GOV.UK]

Dale Laverick and Alessandro Da Silva’s actions were utterly unreasonable and unacceptable. While their company owed substantial sums to HMRC and other creditors, including unpaid rent of more than £76,000, they were trying to lease luxury vehicles for themselves.

📐 McBeath Property Consultancy appoints new director - Tom Grimshaw has joined York-based McBeath Property Consultancy as director after six years leading the commercial agency team at Leeds firm Brackenridge Hanson Tate. Founder Andrew McBeath says Grimshaw’s experience will be “invaluable” in harnessing their growth trajectory. The firm has over 20 years’ experience in commercial property. [Gazette Herald]

🏃 SPORT

🏉 York Knights heading to Super League! - Historic moment - York Knights have been promoted to Super League 2026 for the first time! The panel’s unanimous decision means top-flight rugby league returns to York for the first time since 1985-86. The Knights won the 1895 Cup at Wembley and topped the Championship this year. Toulouse Olympique join them in the expanded 14-team competition. Get ready, York - elite rugby is coming home! [Gazette Herald]

⚽ 900 fans watch York City U18s bow out of Youth Cup - The young Minstermen lost 4-1 to Bradford but played their first-ever match at the LNER Community Stadium in front of a massive crowd. Head of Youth Dan Wilson says the lads “did themselves proud” with a strong second-half showing. The future’s bright at York City. [YorkPress]

👥 COMMUNITY

💙 Solicitors running 12 half-marathons for York charity - Bridge Employment Solicitors directors Lee Stephens and David Rogers are tackling a half-marathon every month this year for Chocolate & Co on Lowther Street - the café helping people facing addiction and homelessness. Ten down, two to go. Legends. [YO1 Radio]

“By running a half-marathon every month, we hope to raise funds and inspire others to support this fantastic local organisation.”

🎄 Age UK wants York kids to stamp out loneliness - Schoolchildren across York are being asked to create Christmas cards for older people living alone this winter. Almost a million over-65s in the UK are often lonely, and Age UK York wants to change that - one card, one cuppa, one chat at a time. Volunteers needed to spend just one hour a week offering companionship. [YO1 Radio]

🏰 Barley Hall named Yorkshire’s most welcoming historic venue - The medieval townhouse tucked away in a York snickleway has been crowned one of Yorkshire’s most welcoming historic venues. Hidden gem getting the recognition it deserves! [YO1 Radio]

🍽️ FOOD & DRINK

📺 York bakery hits the telly tomorrow - Cosgriff and Sons on Tower Street is appearing on James Martin’s Saturday Morning after the chef fell in love with their 36-hour sourdough. Paul Cosgriff, who broke his hip and switched from fine dining to bread-making, will showcase their signature loaf. Tune in ITV, Saturday 9:30am! [Gazette Herald]

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

🍫 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opens Saturday - NETheatre York - the “NE family” founded in 1914 - brings Roald Dahl’s classic to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre for a week-long run. Director Steve Tearle promises space and a role for everybody in this beloved tale. Golden tickets not required. [YO1 Radio]

🎓 STUDENT LIFE

🧠 York St John prof calls for emotional intelligence in dementia care - Professor David Sheard told the UK Dementia Congress that dementia “heightens feelings and lessens thinking” - so carers need emotional intelligence, not just clinical skills. His research highlights the missing piece in how we support people living with dementia and their families. [York St John University]

“Living with dementia is one of the key challenges of our time. Supporting people through this experience means recognising them as whole individuals and meeting them in their own reality with empathy, which requires emotional awareness and skill. By practising emotional intelligence, we can engage with people authentically and support them where they are in their journey.”

What’s On in York Today – Friday 21st November 2025

🎬 The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert Disney’s classic screened with live orchestra. York Barbican, 7pm More info

💃 Fundraising Ceilidh Ceilidh dancing with Hot Not Bothered. Welcome drink included. The De Grey Rooms, 7pm More info

✨ Enchanted Light Trail After-dark light trail with marshmallow toasting and mulled wine. Piglets Adventure Farm, 3:30-9pm More info

❄️ Slava’s Snow Show Multi-sensory theatrical snow spectacular. Grand Opera House, various times More info

🎄 Living North Christmas Fair 250+ stalls of artisan gifts and festive treats. York Racecourse, 10am-4pm More info

That’s your lot for today, York! 🧣

Stay warm, stay safe on those icy pavements, and if you’re heading out tonight – The Muppet Christmas Carol with a live orchestra sounds like the perfect antidote to this arctic chill. Have a cracking weekend, and we’ll see you back here Monday morning.

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Stay cosy, The York Newsletter Team ✨