Good morning York! ☀️ Hope your Monday’s off to a cracking start.

York’s academic excellence is making international headlines while students make their voices heard on campus. The city came together for a moving Remembrance Sunday, rugby fans smashed season ticket records, and there’s magic in the air as three local performers achieve the ultimate honour. Let’s dive in.

Weather Update:
Monday: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Highs of 11°C (52°F). Moderate southwesterly winds.

📰 NEWS

🎓 York Professor Wins Prestigious Quantum Tech Medal - University of York’s Professor Stefano Pirandola has been awarded the IET Achievement Medal in Quantum Technology for his groundbreaking work on quantum communication and security. His research has defined the theoretical limits of quantum communications, shaping how scientists design secure communication networks for the future. The Tab

🌺 York Pays Tribute on Remembrance Sunday - The city came together yesterday for York’s official Remembrance Sunday service and parade. The parade left Clifford’s Tower at 10:20am, with the ceremony at Memorial Gardens beginning at 10:58am. The Lord Mayor of York, alongside HM’s Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Mrs Johanna Ropner, led the laying of wreaths following the two-minute silence at 11am. York Mix

✝️ Archbishop of York visits Israel & Palestinian-territories – Stephen Cottrell has travelled to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage of prayer and solidarity. Read More on The Archbishop of York Website.

✊ 400 Students Protest Reform Society Event - Around 400 York students gathered outside the Law building on Friday to protest a Reform Society event featuring political campaigner Jack Anderton. The event went ahead with a large police presence but no disruption, while York Student Action Network organised the counter-rally titled “Reform Soc invite a Nazi to campus. We say no.” The Tab

🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Rights Rally Outnumbers Counter-Protest - About 200 people assembled in St Helen’s Square on Saturday for a Trans Rights Rally, vastly outnumbering another rally billed as the York Majority Protest, which attracted just a handful of people under one St George’s flag. Jake Furby of the York LGBT Forum told supporters that trans rights are human rights. YorkMix

🛣️ Transport

🛣️ Major road-closure reminder for York drivers – The City of York Council has issued an alert about temporary road closures across the city. Full Schedule on City of York Council Website.

🎨 ARTS & CULTURE

🎩 Three York Magicians Enter the Prestigious Magic Circle - Adrian Salamon, Bethan Grice-Sims, and Brendan Cafferty have all been accepted into the world-famous Magic Circle in London after passing a rigorous examination. The trio join a club of only 1,700 members worldwide, including King Charles, Dynamo and David Copperfield. Brendan achieved the even rarer honour of Associate Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star. YorkMix

🎵 New Record Shop Opens with Red Rhino Tribute - Record Plant opened on Saturday at 26 Gillygate, offering new and second-hand records, cassettes, and memorabilia. Owner Choque knew this location was perfect when he realised it’s the same street as the iconic Red Rhino Records from the 1970s and 80s. The shop features a special homage corner with original Red Rhino posters gifted by co-founder Gerri. YorkMix

🎄 Viral Christmas Pudding Scones Return - The famous Christmas pudding scones are back at Treasurer’s House from 15 November to 21 December. The treat went viral when the Scone Blogger voted it her top scone after travelling the country sampling every National Trust café. The historic house will transform into a magical Christmas experience with handcrafted decorations and festive displays. YorkMix

🏗️ Former Evans Halshaw dealership to be demolished - The vacant former Evans Halshaw car showroom at Clifton Moor Business Park is set to be demolished to make way for a new 3,144 square metre building. Plans submitted to City of York Council show the site on Audax Road, empty since 2020, will be replaced with space for industrial, storage and distribution purposes, along with a trade counter, service yard, parking for 30 cars (including two accessible spaces and three EV charging points), and 42 bicycle spaces. Gazette Herald | York Mix UK

🎓 EDUCATION

🏅 York St John Announces Honorary Graduates - York St John University will honour Jack Woodhams and Alison Lowe OBE during graduation ceremonies this November. Woodhams, who graduated from York St John in 2004, co-founded mental health charity Menfulness, which has helped more than 500 men access counselling. Lowe is West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime. The Tab

🎓 Knavesmire & Bootham School chess win – Bootham School and its sibling partner at Knavesmire School have taken home honours in a York chess competition. A strong result for young minds across the city. York Press.

🏛️ HERITAGE

🧱 Lego Roman Fort Project for Pocklington Festival - Local Lego enthusiast Martin Kidd is building a model of the 2,000-year-old Roman fort found in Hayton for Pocklington District Heritage Festival on 15 November at Burnby Hall. Organisers are calling for local children to help with construction and are seeking donations of unwanted toy bricks. Entry to the pop-up museum and family day is free. Gazette & Herald

🐉 Dragon Store Opens at York Designer Outlet - The Potion Cauldron opened next to the South Entrance at York Designer Outlet on Saturday, featuring a dragon and unicorn. The store will stock exclusive lines and bundles only available in-store. The Potion Cauldron Group already operates attractions across York including The Hole In Wand mini golf and The Potions Express at York Train Station. YorkMix

🏛️ Who deserves a statue in York? - Joseph Rowntree is by far the most popular choice among residents for a new York statue, with many expressing surprise there isn’t one already. The Quaker philanthropist and chocolate maker was called “a true humanitarian who bettered the lives of their workers” and “one of the great figures of York.” Dame Judi Dench also received strong support, with many backing the Oscar-winning actress raised in York who first performed in the city’s Mystery Plays. Yahoo News UK

🍽️ BUSINESS

🐟 Copmanthorpe Chippy Up for Sale - Copmanthorpe Chippy on Church Street is up for sale as the owner returns to full-time education. The only fish and chip takeaway in the immediate area boasts a “monopoly in the village” with a weekly turnover of £4,250 and low overheads. The lease is £192 per week with a new 10-year lease available. The “superbly well-presented” business has potential for expansion through online ordering and delivery apps. Gazette & Herald

🍽️ Cosy Club seeks community champion - Cosy Club York has launched its Christmas Community Champion campaign to recognise an outstanding individual who goes above and beyond for others. The winner will receive a free Christmas feast for four with a seasonal menu. Nominations are now open. York Press.

Managing Director Lucy Knowles said: “We know our communities are full of unsung heroes who make life better for those around them. With our Christmas Community Champion initiative, we want to shine a light on those people and celebrate them the best way we know how – with fabulous food, warm surroundings and an extra splash of festive sparkle.”

🏘️ £7.3m boost for 300 affordable homes - York and North Yorkshire have secured £7.3 million from the government to build nearly 300 new homes on brownfield sites. The funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government boosts the region’s Brownfield Housing Fund to £24.6 million total, set to deliver 1,400 homes - half of which will be affordable. Some homes are already complete, including 88 affordable homes in Aiskew near Bedale. Yahoo News UK

Mayor David Skaith said: “Our region is home to beautiful rural and coastal towns but, with rising rents, costs and second home ownership, working families are being priced out.”

☕ Nominations open in the hunt for York’s best coffee shop – The local press is inviting you to nominate your favourite café for this year’s contest. Participation Details on York Press.

🏃 SPORT

⚽ Hewitt Scores on Debut in York City Comeback WinYork City extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a thrilling 4-2 comeback win at Eastleigh on Saturday. New signing Craig Hewitt fired home on his debut in the 79th minute, before Josh Stones headed a fourth three minutes later. Ollie Pearce scored twice for the Minstermen, taking his season tally to 13 goals. Yahoo Sports

🏉 York RLFC Smashes Season Ticket Record - York RLFC has broken all previous records with over 1,500 season tickets sold on the first day of general sale for the 2026 campaign. The figure smashes the previous record of 1,300 set before the 2025 season. Both York Knights and York Valkyrie will compete in top-flight rugby league for the first time next year following the Knights’ historic promotion to Super League. Adult tickets are priced at £245. Gazette & Herald

That’s your York Brief for today!

Got a story tip or spotted something interesting around York? Hit reply and let me know.