THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025

Morning York 👋
It’s one of those editions that reminds you what this city is all about - quiet strength, kindness, community pride, and a few moments that really make you stop and feel. From families facing the toughest battles with courage, to children having their Christmas wishes come true, plus planning news, culture, and sport, here’s what’s been happening across York.

🌤️ Weather Update

York stays mild for the season with cloudy skies and highs around 9–10°C, and lows near 6–7°C tonight. Expect mainly dry conditions through the day with some lingering cloud and a yellow fog warning overnight into tomorrow morning that may affect travel and visibility.
Source: Met Office

📰 NEWS

💙 York mum and son raise awareness of rare brain cancer - Roxi Greenwood from Heworth has spoken of her immense pride for her 13-year-old son Dylan who is battling rare brain cancer PXA (pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas). Dylan, who attends All Saints RC School, was diagnosed in April after suffering vomiting and headaches his mum knew weren’t right. The family are making special Christmas plans including mass on Christmas Day and a New Year’s Eve trip to the Yorkshire They’re raising awareness that morning headaches and sickness can be key symptoms. York Press

Dales. Roxi said: “Time is precious and we’re just hoping to make the best memories we can.”

🚌 York boy gets Christmas wish with Pullman depot tour - Nine-year-old Rain Lund had “the best day in his whole life” after York Pullman Bus Company granted his Christmas wish with a private depot tour. Rain, who has autism and considers York Pullman his “special interest,” wrote a Christmas card thanking drivers for their hard work. His mum Hannah posted on York Mumblr to find a way to deliver it, and the post reached Zoe James at York Pullman. On December 18th, Rain got a full depot tour, sat in the driver’s seat, saw where buses get washed and maintained, and even got a private bus ride. He declared: “I’m going to work for York Pullman when I’m older.” York Press | Yahoo News UK

⚡ Power cut hits Cemetery Road area - Fifty-one customers lost power for three hours on Sunday morning after an underground cable fault affected properties on Cemetery Road, Fulford Road, and Kilburn Road. Northern Powergrid restored supply by 8:40am but said further work would be needed on the faulty cable. Northern Powergrid | Gazette & Herald

🍺 Victoria Vaults loses protected status - The Victoria Vaults pub on Nunnery Lane has had its Asset of Community Value (ACV) status removed due to technical issues with the original application submitted in December 2024. York CAMRA is working to resolve the problem and reapply. Councillor Pete Kilbane stressed the intention remains to keep the building as a music venue despite the temporary setback. York Press

☕ Old York Tea Room to reapply for signage - The Old York Tea Room on Goodramgate is planning a fresh signage application for January based on planning inspector advice. The dispute over signs on the Grade I listed building (Our Lady’s Row, dating from 1316) has been ongoing since 2023. York Press

🏪 Savers eyes Acomb expansion into former Farmfoods - Health and beauty retailer Savers has applied to take over the empty Farmfoods unit next door on Front Street, Acomb, and nearly double its size. The planning application asks to rebrand the former freezer shop and replace deteriorating back stairs. Farmfoods closed over a year ago despite being “one of the most consistent low-priced shops” in the area according to locals. YorkMix

🚂 £250k TransPennine fund supports 35 community groups - Thirty-five community groups, schools and charities along the TransPennine route from Manchester to York have been awarded grants totalling £250,000. The TRU Community Fund provided grants ranging from £1,000 to £20,000 to help create or enhance community facilities within a five-mile radius of the railway line. Huddersfield’s Rise in Unity CIC received £10,000 for a new dining and social area, announced today. Network Rail Media Centre | Huddersfield Hub

🥾 Coast to Coast passport gets funding boost - Sixteen North Yorkshire councillors have funded hundreds more Coast to Coast Walk passports through locality budgets. Most awarded £300 each (with two giving £400) to support the 140-page booklets that let walkers collect stamps at 29 locations between St Bees and Robin Hood’s Bay. Council chair Cllr George Jabbour, who completed the walk raising £4,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said the passport “gave structure” to his adventure. A lighter 24-page mini version is also being developed. BBC UK

📚 Poetry Pharmacy bookshop sets March opening date - The Poetry Pharmacy will open its doors at 20 Coney Street on Thursday, March 6th, 2026, bringing "poetry on prescription" to York. The unique shop, described as "part bookshop, part apothecary," stocks poetry and non-fiction curated by emotional states like "Inspiration," "Comfort," and "Joy." Founded by poet Deborah Alma and partner James Sheard, it'll be their third location after Bishop's Castle, Shropshire (2019) and London's Oxford Street (2023). The York shop will offer poetry consultations, readings, workshops, and a Reading Room with complimentary tea and coffee. YorkMix

🎄 York Museum celebrates Victorian Christmas - York Castle Museum’s “A Very Yorkshire Christmas” runs through January 4th, 2026, transforming Kirkgate Victorian street with snow, decorations, and live carol performances every Monday. Green Father Christmas roams the street Saturdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through December 24th. Scrooge performs “A Christmas Carol” on Fridays with an evening show December 10th including mulled wine and mince pies. Craft workshops include Christmas card making (Nov 29), decorations (Dec 12), crackers (Dec 6), and bauble marbling (Dec 13). Entry included with general admission. York Castle Museum | Gazette & Herald.

🚨 CRIME

👮 CCTV appeal after Home Bargains theft - North Yorkshire Police are hunting two men after £235.66 worth of stock was stolen from Home Bargains at Clifton Moor on November 14th. Officers have released CCTV images of two suspects they want to speak with. Anyone with information should contact PC 685 Hepworth quoting reference 12250216113. York Press

⚖️ Woman who staged scene in St Helen’s Square gets Christmas behind bars - Serial criminal Melanie Jane Small, 43, got her wish to spend Christmas in jail after staging a scene in St Helen’s Square on November 25th. The woman of no fixed address told police “I want to be taken back to custody” and made threats to passers-by to get arrested. She’d been on a community order and suspended sentence at the time. In court, she was abusive and had to be taken back to cells with the hearing conducted in her absence. Magistrates activated her 13-week suspended sentence and added another week, giving 14 weeks total. York Press

🥊 York boxers stay unbeaten with weekend victories -York’s rising boxing stars Leo Atang and Brad Casey both took their professional records to 3-0 with impressive wins on Saturday. Atang knocked out Uganda’s Baba Yusuf in the first round at Ghana’s first-ever Matchroom Boxing event in Accra, while Casey defeated Dylan Courtney 40-36 by unanimous decision at Leeds’ First Direct Arena. The 18-year-old Atang, dubbed the “next Anthony Joshua” by Eddie Hearn, now has three first-round knockouts in his young career. Yahoo Sports UK | York Press

🏉 Marshall extends Valkyrie stay until 2027 - York Valkyrie forward Rhiannion Marshall has signed a new two-year contract keeping her at the club until the end of 2027. The ex-England international, who joined from Castleford Tigers in 2021, called it “an easy decision” and said the club “feels like home.” Marshall has been part of squads that won the League Leaders’ Shield in 2022 and 2023, plus back-to-back Women’s Super League Grand Finals in 2023 and 2024. The deal takes her into a sixth year with the Valkyrie as they head into a new era under head coach Leon Pryce. York Valkyre | Yahoo Sports UK

That’s your York briefing for today - community courage alongside curious weather and festive hustle, local plans with long-term impact, and sport stories to brighten the midweek. Whether you’re out in the mist or cosy indoors with Christmas lists, stay safe, keep an eye out for that fog overnight, and we’ll see you tomorrow with more from around the city.

The York Brief is compiled from trusted local sources including York Press, Gazette & Herald, YorkMix, and other verified outlets.