THE YORK BRIEF - WEEKEND WRAP UP ⏰ February 14-15, 2026

✨ GOOD MORNING, YORK. Happy Valentine's Day. What a week to be in this city. York Knights pulled off arguably the biggest result in the club's history on Super League debut, council tax is going up nearly 5%, a man on Margaret Street lost his entire 80s music collection to the authorities, and someone fenced off a five-inch puddle in Rowntree Park next to an actual open lake.

It's half-term, the Vikings are arriving, and Bradford Bulls are playing Hull FC this afternoon.

Let's get you caught up before the city fully wakes

🏛️ LOCAL GOVERNMENT

💸 Council Tax Rises 4.99% as York Budget Approved - City of York Council signed off a 4.99% council tax increase for 2026/27 on Thursday, adding £1.47 per week to the average Band C household's bill. Leader Cllr Claire Douglas said the increase was "in no way taken lightly" and described the budget as hard but necessary - protecting adult and children's social care, boosting the Neighbourhood Caretakers Team and overhauling the city's weed control service. YorkMix reported Douglas defending the decision by saying the council "doesn't live in a world of unicorns and rainbows."

"This budget is about prioritising the key services our residents value and rely on, something we're proud to have achieved."

🔨 Station Gateway: What to Expect From Monday - Improvement works outside York Station intensify this month and into March with a series of overnight closures planned. From Monday, 16 February, five nights of work will install York's first pedestrian countdown crossing in front of the station, requiring taxis to relocate to a temporary rank during the works. Further phases bring lane closures on Queen Street and footpath closures outside The Milner York hotel from 16 March. Cllr Kate Ravilious said the end result will create "a pedestrian-friendly and welcoming gateway to the city." Full schedule at york.gov.uk/StationGateway.

🚨 CRIME & SAFETY

🎵 80s Music Fan Loses Stereo and CDs to Magistrates' Court — A York resident has had his stereo and dozens of CDs seized by council officers and North Yorkshire Police after repeatedly breaching a Noise Abatement Notice. Neighbours on Margaret Street first complained in December about very loud music — David Bowie and 80s hits — blaring from midnight and sometimes looping through the night. Despite a warning letter and formal notice, the music continued. York Magistrates granted a seizure warrant on 6 February. The council's noise patrol operates 9pm–2:30am Fridays and Saturdays: call 01904 551555.

👦 Seven Boys Arrested Following Trouble Across the City — North Yorkshire Police arrested seven boys aged 12 to 16 after a series of incidents across York on Thursday evening. Two boys were first arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at a takeaway in Acomb and to an allotment shed in South Bank. Later, five more arrests were made after multiple youths were found gaining access to a property in the Walmgate area. All have been released on conditional bail or remain in custody while enquiries continue.

😄 ONLY IN YORK

🚧 Rowntree Park's Puddle Gets Its Own Safety Fence — In a story that has had York talking all week, a 5x5 metre wooden barrier appeared around a shallow puddle in Rowntree Park, with a sign labelling it a 'pond.' The water is reportedly just five inches deep. Locals were quick to point out the park also contains a fully open, unfenced actual pond — and sits next to the River Ouse. "Oh give over," said one resident. "When you leave the park, there's a big flippin' river with no signs or fences." The council confirmed the area is part of a wetland programme and the site is "under investigation." The Yorkshire Post's headline said it all: 'World's going mad.'

🏙️ CITY & REGION

🍺 Former Goodramgate Bar Set for New Life - Plans have been submitted to convert the former Vahe Bar at 31-33 Goodramgate into a ground-floor shop with two two-bedroom flats above. The Grade II-listed building dates from the 15th century and has been home to bars for around 40 years, most recently trading as Vahe and before that Kokos International Bar. It's the second application for the site after a previous one was withdrawn last summer. The plans say conversion would bring "significant improvement" to the historic building.

📮 New Permanent Post Office Confirmed for Haxby — Haxby residents will finally have a permanent post office again when a branch opens at the former Dutch Nurseries store on The Village on Monday, 30 March 2026. The temporary facility at Oaken Grove Community Centre closes the same day. MP for York Outer Luke Charters, who campaigned for the permanent site, called it "fantastic news" and thanked the thousands of residents who signed the petition.

🌊 ENVIRONMENT

🏊 River Swale at Richmond Nominated as Bathing Site — A 50-metre stretch of the River Swale above Richmond Falls is among 13 sites across England being put forward for official designated bathing water status by the government. Campaign group Save Our Swale nominated the stretch, which draws hundreds of swimmers in summer. Designation would mean mandatory water quality monitoring from May to September, increasing pressure on polluters. A public consultation is open now.

💼 BUSINESS & SKILLS

🏗️ Mayor Meets York Apprentices During National Apprenticeship Week - Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith visited the Germany Beck housing development in Fulford this week, hosted by housebuilder Persimmon, as part of National Apprenticeship Week (9–15 February). He met young bricklayers from York College working on site. Persimmon has had more than 600 young people complete apprenticeships in the past five years. The free York Jobs, Apprenticeships and Skills Fair takes place at York Barbican on Tuesday 24 March.

🌱 4 pm10 am - Rotary Ainsty's annual Yorkits workshop returns to York Minster on Wednesday 5 March, with two sessions running 10 am12:30 pm - 12:30pm and 1:30–4 pm. Volunteers sew reusable feminine hygiene kits sent to girls in 18 countries across Africa, Asia and South America — helping keep girls in education. No sewing experience needed.

❤️ COMMUNITY

💃 Mossdale Care Home Celebrates Valentine's Day with Tea Dance — Mossdale Residence Care Home in Burnholme held a Valentine's tea dance this week, bringing together residents, families and friends for an afternoon of live music, scones, sandwiches, prosecco and a raffle. Wellbeing co-ordinator Pauline Hagan said events like this are "so important for our residents and their families."

🌭 HECK! Food Opens Doors to Jobseekers — Yorkshire sausage company HECK! is hosting a recruitment open day at its Kirklington headquarters near Bedale on Friday 28 February, 10 am–12 pm. Attendees get a behind-the-scenes factory tour and the chance to meet the team. CEO Andrew Keeble said they're looking for "enthusiastic people who want to be part of a brand that's proud to make great-tasting food here in Yorkshire." Register at heckfood.co.uk.

🏉 SPORT

🏉 York Knights Stun Super League Champions on Debut — In one of the shock results of Super League's opening weekend, newly promoted York Knights beat reigning champions Hull Kingston Rovers 19–18 at LNER Community Stadium on Thursday night. Eleven of York's squad had never played top-flight rugby league before. After holding out under relentless pressure, the Knights sealed it with a drop goal from Ata Hingano — who had never scored one — deep in the second half. Hull KR had reportedly selected York as a warm-up for their World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos next week.

🏉 Bradford Bulls vs Hull FC — Valentine's Day Super League — Super League Round 1 continues this afternoon with Bradford Bulls at Hull FC, MKM Stadium (kick-off 5:30 pm). The Bulls, like York, are newly returned to the top flight after years away. A Bradford win today would mean both Yorkshire newcomers finished the opening weekend with victories - and would send a very loud message to the rest of the competition.

🎭 WHAT'S ON THIS WEEKEND IN YORK?

Half-term has begun and the Vikings are arriving. Here's your guide to the weekend.

SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY ❤️

🎵 Here and Now - The Steps Musical — The feel-good musical based on the songs of Steps continues at Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street. Ideal for a Valentine's night out. Various times. Grand Opera House

🎶 Annie - York Light Opera Company — YLOC brings this much-loved classic to York Theatre Royal with a full live band. Matinee and evening performances. York Theatre Royal

🦁 Kids Go Free - Yorkshire Wildlife Park — All children under 16 go free until Sunday 22 February as part of the half-term 'Kids Go Wild, Kids Go FREE' offer. Yorkshire Wildlife Park

🏰 Castle Howard February Half-Term — Family activities including the Skelf Island Adventure Playground. Open daily through 22 February. Castle Howard

SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY

⚔️ JORVIK Viking Festival Opens — The world-famous JORVIK Viking Festival officially opens today and runs all week through to Saturday 21 February. Living history encampments, combat demonstrations, craft workshops and family activities across the city. Get in early — it fills up fast. JORVIK Viking Festival

🏛️ Yorkshire Museum - Half-Term Activities — Combine with the acclaimed Viking North exhibition. Half-term hands-on activities are included with admission this week. Yorkshire Museum

⛪ York Minster Half-Term — Family crafts, visiting Vikings and creative activities throughout the week. York Minster