THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Weekend Wrap Up - January 1 - 2, 2025

Morning, York!

What a way to kick off 2026. While most of us were sleeping off New Year's celebrations, York Rescue Boat volunteers were out at 2 am pulling someone from the Ouse. Young farmers in Ryedale raised nearly £5,000 to support individuals with eating disorders. The Minstermen’s big match is off due to frozen turf. And the pothole debate’s heating up even if the roads aren’t getting fixed.

From Olympic swimmers launching safety campaigns to care homes dancing in the New Year, independent women’s football thriving in York, and charities saving lives across eight countries - here’s everything that happened this week.

🌤️ YOUR WEEKEND WEATHER

(Saturday, January 3rd): Cloudy with occasional bright spells, staying dry through most of the day. High of 7°C, light winds. Wrap up if you’re heading out tonight.

(Sunday, January 4th): Some sun turning cloudy with passing showers developing by afternoon. Temps around 9°C with freshening southwest winds.

Bundle up, York - proper winter weather’s here for the weekend! MET Office

🚨 CRIME

🥊 Scarborough man fighting for life after New Year’s altercation - A 40-year-old man remains in critical condition after sustaining severe head injuries in an altercation at a Scarborough crossroad on December 30th. Police are appealing for witnesses and smartphone footage from the incident near Longwestgate. Paramedics were alerted to his address on New Year’s Day This is the Coast

❄️ WEATHER CHAOS

🚗 Snow brings North Yorkshire to a standstill - Vehicles became stranded north of Pickering overnight as heavy snow hit the North York Moors. Police closed Wheeldale Road near Goathland after multiple cars got stuck in treacherous conditions with temperatures dropping to -2°C. Officers attended in 4x4s, urging drivers to avoid the area or postpone journeys. (York Press, Darlington and Stockton Times, YorkMix, This is the Coast)

⚽ SPORT

⛸️ York City’s top-of-table clash postponed - The Minstermen’s Saturday showdown with league-leaders Boreham Wood is OFF after a frozen pitch failed this morning’s inspection. The fixture will be rescheduled for a midweek slot. York’s next match is now Saturday, January 10th at Sutton United. (York Press, York City FC Official, Yahoo Sports)

⚽ Honeyball United celebrates six months of women’s football - York’s first and only independent women’s football club is thriving six months after launch. Honeyball United WFC now has 80+ members, nearly 700 session bookings, and two teams in the North Riding Women’s Football League. The club has kit sponsorship from York female-led businesses Bang Hair and Andrea Morrison Coaching, and received grants from SMS Energy and Barclays to fund pitch hire, coach development, and York’s first female-only Walking Football pilot. (York Press)

🌊 COMMUNITY

🛟 Dramatic York river rescue kicks off 2026 - York Rescue Boat was called out at 2am on January 1st to rescue a person from the River Ouse - their first callout of 2026. The volunteer crew has had their busiest year ever with 79 incidents in 2025, directly saving 45 lives since launching in 2015. They’ve dealt with 22 fatalities and mental health crises account for 32% of all calls. (YorkMix, Yahoo News)

🏊 Olympic champ Tom Dean launching York river safety campaign - Triple gold medallist Tom Dean is bringing his swim school’s river safety programme to York schools this year. The Strictly star wants to tackle York’s tragic history of river incidents by teaching children water safety and self-rescue skills. His Mount School swim hub now has over 300 members and he’s partnering with the Royal Foundation to provide free lessons to young carers and children on free school meals. (York Press, Gazette & Herald)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 York celebrates long-serving foster carers - Seven fostering households were honoured at the Mansion House by Lord Mayor Cllr Martin Rowley for completing 20, 30, and 40 years of fostering. The longest-serving carers, Sue and Martyn Hill, have fostered for 40 years. Combined, the seven households have cared for over 600 local children with total service exceeding 200 years. (York Press, Gazette & Herald)

💔 Family of man who died from asbestosis launch appeal - The family of Allan Watson, 77, from Well near Bedale are appealing to his ex-workmates for help following his death from asbestos-related disease. The former joiner and site manager died after being diagnosed with asbestosis. His daughter Lynn Cummings said her father went from being “head of the family” to someone reliant on others, deteriorating so quickly “it feels like we never got to say goodbye properly.” (York Press, Gazette & Herald)

🎉 Meadowbeck care home rings in New Year with prosecco and song - Meadowbeck Care Home in Osbaldwick welcomed 2026 with live entertainment, laughter, and plenty of prosecco. Residents, families, and community members sang and danced to classic songs, donned party props, and raised glasses. Performer Nikki Humberstone provided musical entertainment as everyone linked arms for Auld Lang Syne. General manager Annaliza Kemp said residents “love a party and New Year’s Eve has to be the best reason to stay up late.” (York Press, Yahoo News UK)

🍺 FOOD & DRINK

🍀 The Dubliner transforms Tanners Moat - The former Maltings has been transformed into The Dubliner York, bringing Irish spirit to the city. Owner Daniel Van Hymus promises live music seven nights a week, perfectly poured Guinness, and a taste of Dublin’s Temple Bar just 312 steps from York station. The entire exterior has gone green, including the beer garden. (York Press, YorkMix)

⚡ ENVIRONMENT

☀️ Campaigners set to challenge Helios solar farm despite approval - Despite Government approval for the massive Helios solar farm near Camblesforth, local campaigners aren’t giving up. The 190MW scheme covering 476 hectares will be one of the UK’s largest. Campaign group HALT expressed “huge disappointment” as Energy Minister Martin McCluskey said the project was essential for Britain’s clean energy goals. (York Press, Yorkshire Post, Gazette & Herald)

💣 Unexploded ordnance warning after Langdale Moor fire - The public has been warned about unexploded ordnance after the August Langdale Moor fire exposed historic military debris near RAF Fylingdales. The North York Moors National Park Authority reopened public rights of way in December but urges people to remain vigilant. The site was used as tank training ground during WWII and there were 18+ explosions as fire burned down to hidden explosives. With appropriate signage, the Ministry of Defence concluded risks appear no greater than before. (York Press)

💼 BUSINESS

🧙‍♂️ Potions Cauldron Group recalls 2025 growth - York’s magical Potions Cauldron Group won triple awards in 2024 including Fastest Growing Food and Drink Firm in the North. The business has grown from 5 staff in 2018 to over 50 wizards across York, Edinburgh, Chester, Blackpool and Dalton Park. They’re now exporting over 1 million drinks annually after selling just 20,000 in their first year. (York Press, The Hole in Wand, LinkedIn)

💚 CHARITY

🎗️ Ryedale Young Farmers raise £4,875 for eating disorder charity - Ryedale District YFC raised £4,875 for Kick Rexi Out at their 50th anniversary black-tie ball in November. The charity, set up by Nawton resident Donna Foster after her daughter Annie was diagnosed with anorexia, provides support for families caring for children with eating disorders. Top auction lot was a tasting menu from Michelin-starred Star Inn at Harome, donated by owner Andrew Pern, raising £1,600. Around 350 people attended including Kevin Hollinrake MP. Foster said the local support is “overwhelming” as Kick Rexi Out works with North Yorkshire Council to ensure long-term family support. (York Press, Gazette & Herald)

🏥 HEALTH & SERVICES

🌍 York medical charity Outreach EMR ready to expand - York-based Outreach EMR is gearing up for major expansion in 2026 after 13 years saving lives globally. Founded by retired York GP Dr Peter Smith, the charity’s electronic medical records system holds 300,000+ patient histories in 20 clinics across eight countries. After completing a two-year pilot with the Ugandan Ministry of Health proving live data transfer from rural clinics, the Ugandan government has invited them to equip 50 more clinics. Studies show the system saves 125 lives annually. (York Press)

💧 Yorkshire Water commits to bi-annual customer panels - Yorkshire Water will hold regional customer panel sessions every six months following strong response to November’s ‘Your Yorkshire Water, Your Say’ events. CEO Nicola Shaw and senior leadership hosted four virtual sessions across North, South, East and West Yorkshire with 245 customers signing up and 93 participating live. Shaw took questions on ownership, executive pay, partnerships and dividends, while the team addressed water quality, pressure, leaks, pollution and environmental protection. Shaw said the conversations gave “invaluable insight and genuine input.” (York Press, Gazette & Herald, This is the Coast)

🏛️ POLITICS

🕳️ Liberal Democrats slam Labour over pothole policy - Liberal Democrat councillors have criticised Labour over potholes, saying the council has failed to review repair thresholds despite a 2023 cross-party motion. Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson Cllr Stephen Fenton tabled a motion to reduce the ‘investigatory level’ from 40mm to 30mm, but two-and-a-half years later there’s been no review. The council filled just 2,255 potholes in 2024/25 down from 3,168 in 2022/23. Cllr Andrew Waller presented a petition from 84 Lowfields Drive residents calling for resurfacing. Labour’s Cllr Kate Ravilious hit back saying the administration invested over £12 million in highway maintenance - “more than ever before” - with a quarter spent on preventative maintenance. (York Press)

She said the Lib Dem-Green administration “prioritised costly quick-fix pothole filling while investing under 5% on preventative maintenance, contributing directly to decline in York’s roads.”

🎪 EVENTS

👶 Yorkshire Baby & Toddler Show returns to Pavilions - The Yorkshire Baby & Toddler Show returns to The Pavilions, Harrogate on Saturday, April 25th, 2026, following a sold-out autumn edition. CEO Sophie said they were “blown away” by autumn’s response, and the spring event is “shaping up to be our biggest yet.” Exhibitors include Pippeta, Carifit, John Lewis, and Folk & Thread. Sponsors include Mini First Aid, Harrogate School of Swimming, and O’Connor Chiropractic. Visitors can explore nursery furniture, baby products, and access services including hypnobirthing and postnatal support. Tickets at www.yorkshirebabyshow.co.uk. (York Press, Gazette & Herald)

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