THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Good morning, York! ☁️ Grab your brolly - cloudy with a chance of drizzle today. Here’s what’s happening in and around our city.

🌧️ Weather: Overcast with showers – 80% chance of rain. High 12°C, low 7°C. Bring your brolly!

📰 NEWS

💧 Harrogate Spring Water expansion hits the brakes – North Yorkshire councillors have deferred a decision on controversial plans to expand into Rotary Wood, with around 500 trees at stake. They want more information on biodiversity and Section 106 agreements first. York MP Tom Gordon has opposed the expansion, calling it inappropriate “at a time where people are conscious about climate and waste.”

🚰 ‘Do Not Drink’ Water Warning for North Yorkshire Homes Yorkshire Water has told 34 properties in the Nidderdale area not to drink tap water—even after boiling—after tests showed contamination. Affected homes are in Darley, Menwith Hill, Birstwith, and surrounding villages. Another 43 properties remain on a boil water order. - Read more at YorkMix

🪖 Richmond war memorial getting restored – The historic war memorial in Friary Gardens is set to be cleaned and repaired to ensure the names of the fallen remain legible. The memorial commemorates 155 servicemen from both World Wars.

💷 York’s 10-year anti-poverty strategy – City of York Council’s Executive will review a landmark anti-poverty strategy next month. Research shows nearly 4,000 households in York are in relative or deep poverty. The strategy builds on the city’s social justice history from Joseph and Seebohm Rowntree.

“Poverty has been an unacceptable fact of life in our city for too many people and for too long”. - Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council

👔 Mayor’s 10-year employment plan taking shape – The Get York and North Yorkshire Working Plan sets out a bold vision to address local employment challenges and seize opportunities. The plan joins up skills and health support to get more people into work. More on Y01 Radio

🏛️ 2032 blueprint includes new arts space – York’s Prospectus and Vision for 2032 includes plans for a new arts and exhibition space in the city centre that will welcome world-class artists and showcase emerging talent. The 18-project plan addresses York’s limited creative space despite being a UNESCO City of Media Arts.

🚗 Man named after fatal tree crash – Nicholas Parkin, 52, from Beckwithshaw, died when his blue Citroen C2 crashed on Pot Bank near Harrogate last Friday night. His family described him as “much-loved.” Police are appealing for witnesses. Read More on York Mix

🏕️ 34 caravans approved at Selby nature reserve – Permission has been granted for static caravans at a nature reserve west of Bawtry Road, despite concerns from residents about traffic and wildlife impact. The original plan for 49 lodges was reduced to address ecological concerns. More info on York Mix

♿ Shopmobility extends hours for Christmas Market – The charity is opening on Sundays throughout the Christmas Market period (12 November – 21 December) to help customers hire mobility aids. Find them inside level two of Coppergate Centre car park in Piccadilly.

🚨 CRIME

⚖️ York predator jailed for six years – Timothy Glen Jarrett, 45, of Copmanthorpe, was sentenced at York Crown Court for supplying drugs to teenage girls in exchange for sex and sexual acts, which he filmed. The ex-army man admitted arranging travel for exploitation, distributing indecent images, making indecent images, and drug supply offences. He targeted vulnerable girls between April and June 2024. More on York Mix

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

🎬 Joseph Rowntree students star in Bugsy Malone – Students from Joseph Rowntree School have secured lead roles in the upcoming production at the Grand Opera House (31 October – 8 November). The production by Pick Me Up Theatre features 40 young performers from across York. Gazette and Herald Expands More on this.

🎥 Aesthetica Film Summit at The Grand – The UK Film Production Summit takes place at The Grand York on 6 November, bringing together 100+ top production companies and commissioners. Warp Films CEO Mark Herbert headlines. Part of Aesthetica’s 15th anniversary festival (5-9 November).

🎥 Netflix, BBC Films, and Amazon Studios Heading to York Over 150 film and TV industry heavyweights descend on The Grand next week for the UK Film Production Summit. What’s on the agenda? AI, streaming wars, and the future of British storytelling. - Read more at Yahoo News

😂 Maisie Adam’s new tour announced – Comedian Maisie Adam is bringing her “Whatsherface Tour” to the Grand Opera House on 4 November 2026. The Taskmaster star and “tall, chaotic one with weird hair” returns after sellout shows.

🎆 EVENTS

🎇 Stunning drone footage of Elvington fireworks – Aerial shots captured York’s biggest firework display at Elvington Airfield on Monday night. The Autumn Lights event featured Dick and Dom, La Flamo Fire Show, and two choreographed fireworks displays. View Images on Gazette and Herald.

🎬 Film Industry Summit Part of Major Festival Week The Aesthetica Film Festival takes over York from November 5-9 with screenings, sessions, and the headline UK Film Production Summit bringing Warp Films, Ridley Scott Associates, and major broadcasters together to shape the future of British production. - Read more at BBC News

🚗 Consumer

⛽ Where’s York’s Cheapest Petrol Right Now? Unleaded from 130.7p, diesel from 136.7p - we’ve rounded up the lowest fuel prices across York to help you save at the pumps. - Read more at Yahoo News

🚆 Transport

🚄 LNER Timetable Changes Get York MP’s Backing Luke Charters welcomed upcoming East Coast Mainline improvements after meeting Network Rail at the Rail 200 celebration. He says the changes will make a real difference to constituents’ journeys. - Read more at York Press

🏉 SPORT

🏉 York Knights’ Ata Hingano signs new deal – Popular half-back Ata Hingano has extended his contract with York Knights ahead of their Super League debut in 2026. The 28-year-old Tongan international was York’s player, back and players’ player of the year in 2024. His partnership with captain Liam Harris was key to winning the 1895 Cup and Championship Shield.

🚨 CRIME & APPEALS

🏍️ Vintage motorcycle stolen – A 1967 chrome and red Kawasaki Avenger 350 was stolen from a property in Bismarck Street overnight between 10-11 September. Police are appealing for anyone offered it for sale to contact them. Report on Gazette and Herald.

That’s your York Brief for Wednesday, October 29, 2025. From urgent water warnings to blockbuster film summits, poverty-fighting strategies to knights on the pitch - York’s moving forward while looking after its own. Stay safe if you’re affected by the water notice, and keep an eye out for that stolen Kawasaki.

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Stay dry out there, York. ☔