THE YORK BRIEF - WEEKEND WRAP UP ⏰ November 15 - 16 , 2025

Morning York!

Christmas has officially landed in our city, and this weekend is absolutely buzzing! From ice skating at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland to browsing alpine chalets at the Christmas Market, comedy gold with Jason Manford, and 280 rowing crews preparing to battle the Ouse on Sunday, there’s something for everyone. Let’s get stuck in!

🌤️ YOUR WEEKEND WEATHER

Saturday (Today): Mostly cloudy, 8°C - Storm Claudia clearing
Sunday: Drier spells, highs of 9°C - good news for the rowers!
[BBC Weather York]

📰 NEWS

🏘️ Controversial 3,000-home village gets green light - North Yorkshire Council approved the Maltkiln village development near York despite an 11th-hour plea from villagers for a delay. The scheme, centered around Cattal railway station between York and Harrogate, will include housing, employment areas, two primary schools, health services, shops and community spaces. Read more on YorkMix and Gazette & Herald

⛈️ Storm Claudia brings flood alerts - The Environment Agency issued flood alerts for the Upper River Ouse as Storm Claudia brought heavy rainfall. The Foss Barrier was lowered and flood gates put in place, with rainfall expected to continue into Saturday morning. More on Gazette & Herald

💷 Councillors approve pay increase amid budget pressures - North Yorkshire Council members voted for a 3.6% increase in their allowances for 2026/27, taking the basic allowance from £17,340 to £17,964. The annual bill for member allowances will rise to more than £1.6m. One councillor said he had “deep reservations” while budget cuts loom. Details on Richmondshire Today

🚧 Huntington Road set for three-day closure - Huntington Road will close near Alexander Avenue from Tuesday (November 25) to Thursday (November 27) for highway maintenance, with closures between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm each day. Diversions via Haleys Terrace and Haxby Road. Read in the Gazette & Herald

⚰️ Next of kin sought for York man - North Yorkshire Police said the county coroner’s office is requesting help to locate family members of Richard Armstead, who has died aged 69. His death was not being treated as suspicious. Anyone related to Mr Armstead should email coroner@northyorkshire.police.uk. More on Gazette & Herald

🚂 Major rail timetable changes from December - Northern Railway is introducing significant timetable changes from December 14, including new fast services between Leeds and Sheffield, additional morning peak services on the York-Harrogate-Leeds route, and reinstated Sunday services between Sheffield and York via Pontefract. The changes aim to add over 30,000 extra seats weekly and improve connectivity across Yorkshire. Full details on Northern Railway

🚽 York tops UK’s dirtiest toilets list - Not the ranking we wanted! York has been named as having the UK’s dirtiest public toilets with a hygiene score of just -1.5 out of 100 in a study by waste management firm Business Waste, with Bath and Cambridge following closely behind. Time for a clean-up, York! Report on London World

🚨 CRIME

🚔 Police perform a hard stop on a 13-year-old’s 45mph bike - A 13-year-old boy was arrested after being caught riding at 45mph without a helmet on a specially modified mountain bike on Ratcliffe Street. The bike had been adapted to function through the throttle, not the pedals, making it legally a motorcycle. Police pursued and made tactical contact to stop the rider. Read on Yorkshire Live

🔥 Land Rover set ablaze in city street - Firefighters from York attended Hallfield Road, off James Street, at around 2.40 am on Saturday, November 8, after a vehicle was set on fire. Breathing apparatus was used in the blaze, and the vehicle was left with the police for recovery, Gazette & Herald.

👶 Fire crews help child locked in vehicle - A crew from Acomb responded to a report of a child locked in a vehicle with the keys inside. Crews stood by until a family member arrived with a spare ke according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service,

🎨 ARTS & CULTURE

🎭 York Theatre Royal announces 2026 pantomime - Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs will be York Theatre Royal’s pantomime for December 2026, running from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. York family favourite Robin Simpson returns as the Dame. Details on YorkMix

🗿 Poignant sculpture unveiled at Fulford Orchard - MP Luke Charters unveiled ‘Orchard Spirits’ by local artist Sylvia Schroer at Fulford Community Orchard on October 31. The sculpture features two busts decorated with plants and foliage from the orchard, honoring former patients of York Asylum which once stood where York Designer Outlet now sits. The paired figures invite reflection on mental wellbeing and the site’s poignant history. Full story on YorkPress

🎓 COMMUNITY

👥 St George’s RC pupils reunite after 40 years - Former pupils of St George’s RC School gathered for an emotional reunion marking 40 years since they left the York secondary school. The event brought together classmates who hadn’t seen each other in decades, sharing memories and catching up on life’s journeys. Story on Yahoo UK

🤝 Rachael Maskell MP praises United Response -York Central MP Rachael Maskell visited United Response’s creative hub on November 6, where learners were preparing to run their own mock election as part of citizenship sessions. The charity supports people in York with learning disabilities, autistic people, and those with mental health needs, helping with day-to-day living and employment skills. Maskell praised the students’ passionate engagement with complex political issues. Coverage on YorkPress

📸 North Yorkshire photographer wins regional award - Hamish Irvine was named Yorkshire and the North East Wedding Photographer of the Year, qualifying him for the national Wedding Industry Awards in Liverpool this January. The talented cameraman, who shot his first wedding aged 16, surpassed 22 regional finalists to win the prestigious accolade. Report on Yahoo UK

🛒 BUSINESS

🛍️ Lidl opens doors at Monks Cross - Lidl’s newest York store opened at Monks Cross Retail Park on Thursday, November 13 after the Lord Mayor cut the ribbon at 8am. The 16,300 sq ft store, built on the former TK Maxx and Argos site next to Sainsbury’s, features an in-store bakery, Middle of Lidl section, and seven electric vehicle chargers. The multi-million pound investment created up to 40 jobs. Read on YorkMix

🎵 New record shop opens on Gillygate - Record Plant opened its doors at 26 Gillygate on Saturday, November 8, offering a mix of new and second-hand records, cassettes, and memorabilia. The Leeds-based business chose the Gillygate location as an homage to the iconic Red Rhino Records that operated on the same street in the 1970s and 80s. Read on YorkMix

👔 New CEO appointed at York Against Cancer - Andy Knowles has been named the new Chief Executive of York Against Cancer, succeeding Julie Russell who is retiring after 20 years of leadership. Andy, who has led his own business consultancy for eight years and previously held UK & Ireland Director roles, will take up the position in early 2026 to lead a new chapter in the charity’s growth. Details on Great Yorkshire Radio

🏘️ PROPERTY

🏢 Stunning Ogleforth apartment hits market - A beautifully appointed apartment on Ogleforth with breathtaking views of York Minster has come up for sale. The property offers the rare combination of city centre living with one of York’s most iconic views right from your window. View listing on Gazette Herald

🏃 SPORT

🚣 280 crews set for York Small Boats Head this Sunday - Up to 280 crews from across the country will race upstream on the River Ouse this Sunday, November 23, in the York Small Boats Head - one of the most popular events in British Rowing’s calendar. Clubs from Ancholme, Berwick, Bradford, Chester, Doncaster, Durham, and even London’s Vesta Rowing Club will compete alongside York City, St John’s, St Peter’s, and York University crews. The 3km course runs from Fulford to King’s Staith with racing from 10:15 am to midday and 2:10 pm onwards. Spectators can catch the action from Millennium Bridge, Blue Bridge, and along the Minster-side riverbank. Preview on Gazette Herald | Yahoo Sports coverage

⛰️ Rosedale challenge raises funds for three charities - The second Rosedale Chimney Bank Hill Challenge saw 41 riders tackle one of Britain’s steepest roads, with gradients reaching 1 in 3, raising £235 each for Ryedale Folk Museum, Scarborough and Cleveland Mountain Rescue, and Ryedale Special Families. The event was inspired by local cyclist Edgar Milner who in 1912 became the first person to ascend the mile-long, 500-foot climb by bicycle without stopping. Mark Jagger completed the fastest time in 6 minutes 4 seconds. Full coverage on Gazette Herald

🥉 Tadcaster swimmer wins bronze for Team GB - Jake Vicars from Tadcaster won a bronze medal for Team GB in the T21 200m Butterfly at the European Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira, Portugal. The 30-year-old, who trains five times a week with Pontefract Marlins and Richmond Dales clubs, has been representing his country since 2016. He’s already training for the World Games next October. Story on YorkPress

🎄 WHAT’S ON IN YORK THIS WEEKEND?

🎅 York Christmas Market in full swing - York’s award-winning Christmas Market is running from Thursday, November 13 to Sunday, December 21, with alpine chalets lining Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. Open daily from 10:30 am to 7 pm, the market features over 80% Yorkshire traders and includes a quiet time from 10 am to 12 pm daily with no music for a more sensory-friendly visit. Guide on The Tab

❄️ Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland
Celebrating its 20th anniversary! The outdoor ice rink is back at York Designer Outlet with thrilling funfair rides, Santa’s Grotto, and cosy alpine café. Open daily from 9:30 am through to January 4. York Designer Outlet, St Nicholas Ave

🛍️ Little Bird Artisan Acomb Christmas Market - LOCAL MARKET ALERT! Support Yorkshire businesses at this weekend market in Acomb, with 85% of traders from our region. Saturday & Sunday 10 am-3 pm. Front Street, Acomb

🎭 THEATRE & ENTERTAINMENT

🎵 Sunny Afternoon - FINAL SHOWS - LAST CHANCE! The Olivier Award-winning musical about THE KINKS finishes its York run today (Saturday). Chart-toppers, including “You Really Got Me” and “Lola”, were performed live. 2:30 pm matinee & 7:30 pm. Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street

😂 Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons - TONIGHT! The nationally acclaimed comedian brings his latest stand-up show to York Barbican. “Expert observational comedy” mixed with “comic gold”. Saturday 7:30 pm. York Barbican, Paragon St

🎤 Fastlove - A Tribute to George Michael - SUNDAY NIGHT! Direct from the West End, celebrate the late great George Michael. The show has sold 250,000+ tickets worldwide across 18 countries. Sunday 7:30 pm. Grand Opera House

🎂 Joseph Rowntree Theatre 90th Birthday Fair - SATURDAY AFTERNOON! Step back to the 1930s for a dazzling Art Deco-themed fair celebrating the theatre’s 90th birthday. Classic games, crafts, refreshments, and live performances. PLUS enter the ‘Best Sponge Cake’ competition! All proceeds support the theatre. Saturday, 2:30 pm. York Hospital Social Club, White Cross Rd, Clifton

✈️ YAM Military Model Show - SATURDAY! Collaborate with the York Plastic Model Society for a model display and competition with AIRFIX support. Categories include aviation, military vehicles, and junior modellers. Winner of ‘Best in Show’ gets a 20-minute tour of the Handley Page Halifax ‘Friday the 13th’! Saturday 10 am-4 pm. Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington

That’s your weekend sorted, York!

From Christmas magic to world-class entertainment and sporting action on the Ouse - it’s shaping up to be a brilliant weekend. Stay safe near flood areas, wrap up warm for the markets, and get out there to enjoy everything our incredible city has to offer!

Have a brilliant weekend, York!

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