THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Wednesday, 7th January 2026

🌤️ MORNING, YORK!

Right then, temperatures plummeted to a bone-chilling 9°C overnight, leaving York and North Yorkshire blanketed in ice and snow. Schools shut, trains delayed, and commuters scrambling - it’s been one of those mornings. But as Labour fights to keep its one-seat council majority in next week’s Heworth by-election, at least the Great Rail Sale kicked off with bargain fares and York’s sports teams are strengthening their squads. Let’s crack on.

🌡️ WEATHER OUTLOOK

Today’s forecast; Highs around 0°C (feels like -3°C with wind chill), winds gusting to 31mph. Wintry showers possible by 11pm tonight (20% chance). Humidity 73-84%. Bundle up - it’s staying bitter cold. Met Office

📰 NEWS

❄️ Arctic conditions grip region; Temperatures dropped to -9°C overnight, with 16 schools across North Yorkshire closed due to dangerous icy conditions. York’s Millthorpe School remained shut today after losing its water supply following the freeze. A yellow weather warning for snow and ice was in place until 11 am.

💀 Lorry driver dies in early-hours crash; A man in his 60s from Humberside died when his white Scania HGV left the road at Drax near Selby around 2am Tuesday. Despite efforts from a member of the public and emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene. North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses.

🚂 Points failure causes rail chaos; A points failure between Selby, Leeds and York caused delays of up to 50 minutes on Tuesday morning. Some lines were blocked with trains delayed, revised, or diverted. Disruption was expected until 8 am. YO1 Radio

⚖️ JUSTICE

♿ Disabled mother wins legal battle with First Bus; Clifton mother Ellen Mellor has successfully settled a discrimination claim against First Bus after being refused on board a number six service with her folded 27kg mobility scooter in January 2025. The driver requested a permit that she was unaware existed. After First defended the claim for 10 months, a settlement was reached days before the court.

Disability campaigner Flick Williams, who assisted with the case, said the victory has led to policy changes - York’s iTravel website now confirms folded scooter users don’t require permits. Mellor said the incident “badly affected my confidence to travel by bus” and hopes her case shows disabled people “don’t just have to accept discriminatory service.”

🏛️ POLITICS

🗳️ Heworth by-election - Labour’s majority on the line; York Council’s ruling Labour group is fighting to keep its one-seat majority in next Thursday’s Heworth by-election. Six candidates are standing after Labour councillor Ben Burton stepped down due to leaving York for work. Labour leader Cllr Claire Douglas said her party would stand on a record of delivery, while Lib Dem leader Cllr Nigel Ayre said the vote would allow residents to “end Labour’s failing majority.” The election takes place January 15.

💰 Council awards £78,493 to community groups; York Council has approved £78,493 in Ward Budget City Wide Fund grants to 12 organisations. Winners include York Carers Centre (£10,000), Menfulness (£10,000), The Island (£10,000), Bereaved Children Support York (£10,000), York Neighbours (£10,000), York Rugby League FCF (£9,698), Next Door But One (£7,500), The Gateway Centre (£4,750), The Hygiene Bank (£2,500), York Environment Forum (£2,000), York Greenways (£1,545), and Walking for Health (£500). The fund supports city-wide projects across health and wellbeing, cost-of-living crisis, environment, and equality priorities. York Press / York Council

🎢 BUSINESS & TOURISM

🎪 Theme park sold for new chapter; Lightwater Valley near Ripon has been bought by Nottingham-based Mellors Group. The family business promises “an exciting new chapter” for the attraction that draws 230,000+ visitors annually. Was previously listed for £3 million. YorkMix

🚗 Malton Coachworks doubles in size, creates 20 jobs. The classic car restoration firm is expanding from three units to six on Malton’s industrial estate, creating up to 20 additional jobs. Current employees total around 45. The new facilities will house a second mechanical workshop, a dedicated welding/fabrication bodyshop, and a complex with offices, training school, and media centre. CEO James Szkiler said expansion follows high global classic car sales and growing restoration demand. Recent projects include re-trimming F1 driver Lando Norris’ Land Rover Defender and supplying a rare £600,000 Lagonda for Italy’s Mille Miglia. York Pres

🎉 York Residents’ Festival returns; The annual thank-you to York residents returns January 31-February 1 with free entry to York Museums Trust sites (Castle Museum, Art Gallery, Yorkshire Museum) and National Trust’s Treasurer’s House. Pre-booking opens January 9 at 12 pm on the Visit York website. YorkMix

🚆 TRAVEL

🎟️ Rail Sale launches - 4 million tickets up for grabs; The Great British Rail Sale is offering 3+ million discounted tickets nationwide for travel January 13-March 25. LNER has York-Newcastle from £8.35, London-Edinburgh from £27.85. Northern is contributing 1 million tickets with fares from £1 between northern cities - Manchester to Airport £1.20, Liverpool to Wigan £1.60. Sale runs until January 12. YorkMix / York Press / York Press

🎭 WHAT’S ON

🎊 Goole celebrates 200 years; Goole is marking its bicentenary throughout 2026 with a packed programme of celebrations. Goole Museum kicks things off with “Goole-Built: The Story of Goole Shipyard” exhibition opening Friday (January 10), running until March 14. An action-packed weekend of celebrations is planned for July 18-19. The town will also host Yorkshire Day civic celebrations in August. York Press

🎨 Kids invited to design Easter sculptures; Children aged 0-11 across York are invited to enter a competition to design sculptures for the Discover: Eggsplore York and Haxby Easter trails. Up to 15 handcrafted ceramic sculptures will feature in each location, displayed in local shops and venues. Winning designs by Schiewe Ceramics will be revealed during live miniature egg hunts. Winners receive an Easter hamper and a two-hour ceramics workshop. Entries by 11:59 pm January 31 to info@schieweceramics.org with child’s name, age, school, and grown-up’s contact details. York Press

🏥 HEALTH

🏥 Harrogate maternity services upgraded to ‘good’; Harrogate District Hospital’s maternity services upgraded from “requires improvement” to “good” following July CQC inspection. Leaders and staff “worked hard to create a positive culture where safety and learning were prioritised,” though some concerns remain about waiting times in the maternity assessment centre. York Press

👂 Free ear health workshop at Fulford care home; Ouse View Care Home in Fulford is hosting a free ear health workshop on Monday, January 13 at 10:30am for relatives, friends, neighbours, and local community members. Attendees will receive earwax checks and guidance from Katie, an ear care practitioner from Ear and There York. RSVP to ouseview@barchester.com.

❤️ COMMUNITY

🛒 York Tesco stores donate 6,000+ meals; Tesco customers at York stores donated over 6,000 meals worth of food during the Winter Food Collection in late November. The donations, benefiting FareShare and Trussell food banks, were supported by 2,000+ volunteers nationwide. Customers also donated £300,000+ through till round-ups and online donations. Tesco UK CEO Ashwin Prasad thanked customers for their “overwhelming generosity” in supporting communities facing hardship during winter. York Press

🍽️ FOOD & HOSPITALITY

🍺 Durham Ox marks 25 years; Michael and Sasha Ibbotson are celebrating 25 years owning the acclaimed Durham Ox gastropub in Crayke. The pub has earned Michelin Guide recognition while maintaining its village local character. Michael’s advice to the hospitality sector? “Quality will prevail” - focus on customer service, fresh local ingredients, and attention to detail. York Press

🏉 SPORT

💪 Knights prop signs full-time deal for Super League debut; York Knights have secured experienced prop Mitch Clark on a full-time contract for their maiden Super League campaign in 2026. The 32-year-old former Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers forward joined from Sheffield Eagles in March and made 15 appearances despite injury setbacks. Yorkshire Evening Post

“I’m super excited for the challenge ahead,” said Clark, a former Junior Kiwi international. Coach Mark Applegarth praised Clark as “an absolutely champion guy” who demands high standards and brings calmness to the group.

⚽ Sinclair returns to Minstermen after productive loan; York City attacker Tyrese Sinclair has returned following a successful loan spell at Solihull Moors. The 24-year-old made 10 appearances for the National League side, scoring three goals and providing two assists since joining in October. Sinclair is now available for manager Stuart Maynard’s squad as the Minstermen continue their National League campaign. York City FC

THAT’S YOUR LOT

Stay warm out there, York. The cold snap’s hanging on, but at least those rail sale bargains are live if you fancy escaping somewhere warmer. And if you’re heading out, mind the ice - it’s treacherous.

See you in your inbox tomorrow.