THE YORK BRIEF - WEEKEND WRAP UP ⏰ November 22 - 23 , 2025

🌧️ Good Day York!

Bit of a damp start this Saturday with light rain early doors, but it should clear up by lunchtime, leaving us with some dry afternoon sunshine. Temperatures topping out around 8°C – perfect weather for a cuppa and catching up on what’s been happening in our fine city this week.

🌧️ WEEKEND WEATHER

Saturday 22nd: A damp start with rain clearing through the morning, then cloudy spells with occasional bright breaks. Temperatures around 6-8°C with moderate winds (15-20mph). Wrap up warm if you’re heading to the Living North Christmas Fair!

Sunday 23rd: Unsettled again with further showers expected, heavier at times. Highs of around 6°C with blustery winds (up to 29mph). Don’t let it put you off the Elf Run though – you’ll warm up soon enough! Waterproofs recommended.

📰 NEWS

🎨 Misfits star Joseph Gilgun unveils first public art piece in York. - Acclaimed actor, writer and artist Joseph Gilgun has chosen York for his very first public art installation. “Talk Small” is now on display at SPARK York, while a new exhibition of his framed artwork has also opened at The Art of Protest Gallery on Walmgate. The work focuses on his mental health struggles and aims to raise awareness of the issue. Gazette Herald

💷 Mayor pitches £52m tourism tax to Chancellor ahead of Budget - York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith has taken his visitor levy proposal directly to Rachel Reeves at Downing Street. Research from York St John University suggests a £2 per-room, per-night charge could generate around £52 million annually for the region – about four times the combined authority’s current transport budget. Yorkshire Post | Gazette Herald

📺 York bakery lands spot on James Martin’s Saturday Morning - Cosgriff and Sons, the family-run microbakery on Tower Street, will appear on ITV today after TV chef James Martin popped in “a bit incognito” one Sunday and bought a sourdough loaf. A few days later, his PA called asking them to be on the show. Tune in from 9.30am! YorkMix

🏫 New head announced for Carr Infant School in Acomb - Matthew Oxley will take up the role of head of school at Carr Infant from January. He’s currently vice principal at Scarcroft Primary and previously served as assistant head at Badger Hill. The school is also exploring the possibility of formally joining Excel Learning Trust. Gazette Herald

🚂 Holgate residents warned about overnight railway noise - If you live near the railway line in Holgate, expect some disruption. Network Rail has written to residents warning of overnight works from 11pm on Saturday, November 28 to 8am Sunday. It’s the first of several planned overnight sessions, with more scheduled for December. “We are sorry in advance for any disruption this may cause,” Network Rail said. “The work is essential and needs to be done at night when fewer trains are running.” Gazette Herald

🚦 Councillors to debate Whitby New Bridge speed limit petition - Over 500 residents have signed a petition calling for a 30mph speed limit on Whitby’s New Bridge over safety concerns for students and families walking to Whitby School. The issue was raised in Parliament by MP Alison Hume earlier this year, who pointed out there are no zebra crossings or raised kerbs despite heavy foot traffic. The Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee will debate the proposal on Friday, November 28. Yorkshire Post | Gazette Herald

🚨 CRIME

🛁 Hot tub burglars jailed for nearly 30 years - Three burglars responsible for terrifying raids targeting high-value Audis and Volkswagens in North Yorkshire have been jailed for a combined total of almost 30 years. Ryan Wilkinson, Cyle Jenkins and Adrian Askin were caught after a cross-border police operation – two were found hiding in a hot tub while the third was discovered in a trailer. North Yorkshire Police | YorkMix

🐕 Speeding driver caught by police dog after 90mph chase - A Selby driver who led police on a 90mph pursuit has been sentenced after police dog Enzo caught him fleeing on foot. The driver was stopped when officers deployed a stinger in Gowthorpe. He was sentenced at York Magistrates’ Court to a 12-month community order with mental health treatment. Gazette Herald

🎬 ARTS & CULTURE

🎥 York man stars in major film with Ralph Fiennes - Former York College acting student Ollie Briscombe, 20, stars as Lofty in “The Choral” – an Alan Bennett historical drama set in Yorkshire during WWI featuring Ralph Fiennes, Mark Addy and Roger Allam. Ollie was selected from more than 400 hopefuls in what was his first audition for a professional film. He described standing in front of the Schindler’s List star as a “What is happening” moment. YorkMix

🍽️ FOOD & DRINK

🍛 Jaipur Spice crowned York’s Best Curry House - Jaipur Spice on Haxby Road has won The Press’ Best Curry House award after thousands of readers voted. The family-run restaurant has been operating since 1998 and is known for their signature Jaipur Spice Special – a rich blend featuring chicken and lamb in a smooth masala sauce with a closely guarded family recipe. Gazette Herald

👥 COMMUNITY

🎄 York restaurateur to give free Christmas meals to homeless for third year - Wael Garas will open Middle Feast on Lendal from noon to 3 pm on Christmas Day to serve chicken and lamb doner shawarmas to those in need. Last year was so busy they had queues forming. “I don’t want anything from anyone in return,” Wael said. “Some people think I will do it one time and leave it, but they are wrong.” Gazette Herald

🎓 University of York professor named among world’s most cited scientists -Professor Simon Gilbody has retained his spot in the global top 1% of most cited scientists, according to Clarivate’s 2025 list. He’s an internationally recognised authority on scalable solutions to mental health challenges and co-founded the University’s first mental health spinout, Third Age Therapeutics. University of York

🔍 Urgent search for missing Great Ouseburn man - Police are “increasingly concerned” for Peter Jacques, 70, who has been missing from the Great Ouseburn area since 2pm on Friday (November 21). Peter is described as approximately 6ft tall, slim build with grey hair, last seen wearing all black clothing – black trousers, black jumper and walking boots. North Yorkshire Police | Gazette Herald

💼 BUSINESS

🌍 Get Exporting roadshows helping York and North Yorkshire businesses go global The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has launched a series of roadshows to help local businesses reach international markets. The Get Exporting programme offers grants of £3,000-£10,000 and has already helped companies like The Potions Cauldron go from selling 20,000 drinks in their first export year to potentially over a million this year. York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority

🐟 World-famous Scarborough fish and chip shop applies for licence - The Tunny Club at East Sandgate in Scarborough’s South Bay – described as “world-famous” for its fish and chips – has applied for a premises licence to sell alcohol and play live and recorded music. If approved, the retail sale of alcohol would be permitted from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., daily. Gazette Herald

🏃 SPORT

🏉 York Valkyrie star Savannah Andrade signs two-year extension - international and 2025 Julie Cronin Player of the Year winner Savannah Andrade has committed to York Valkyrie for another two seasons, taking her stay to six years. The versatile forward scored 16 tries in 19 appearances last season and helped York finish fourth in the Women’s Super League. York Press | Yahoo Sports

🏟️ Gary Elphick targets defensive improvements at York City - First-team coach Gary Elphick wants York City to tighten up at the back as the Minstermen look to add to their clean sheets tally. York have kept six clean sheets from 19 National League matches this season, conceding 20 goals – a far cry from last season when they topped the clean sheet charts. Yahoo Sports

🏃 Pickering runners battle tough conditions at Saltergate Gallows - Pickering Running Club members faced challenging conditions at the Saltergate Gallows race, part of the Winter Fell Race Series. The 8.5-mile route over Levisham Moor was made slippery by recent rain, with nearly 1,200 feet of elevation to tackle. Gazette Herald | Yahoo Sports

🎪 WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND

🧝 Elf Run at York Designer Outlet (Sunday) Get your festive fun on with YorkMix and St Leonard’s Hospice! Join us for a fun-filled morning run around the Outlet – perfect for all ages. Every participant gets a free elf hat, plus entertainment, a warm-up with Thomas “Christmas” Clubbercise, and a festive snow party afterwards. 📍 York Designer Outlet, YO19 4TA | ⏰ Sun 23 Nov, 8:30-11am More info

🎄 Living North Christmas Fair (All Weekend) Yorkshire’s biggest seasonal shopping event returns to York Racecourse with over 250 carefully-selected stands. Find artisan designer-makers, local food producers, fashion, homewares, gifts and special Christmas decorations. 📍 York Racecourse, YO23 1EX | ⏰ Sat-Sun, 10am-4pm More info

❄️ Slava’s Snow Show (All Weekend) A breathtaking multisensory delight in a joyous dream-like world! This truly unique theatrical adventure is filled with heart, humour and stunning spectacle – culminating in a blizzard that puts you knee-deep in snow! 📍 Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street | ⏰ Multiple times More info

🏋️ Better National Open Weekend – FREE (Sat & Sun) Grab your friends and family for a weekend of FREE activities at York leisure centres. Whether you’re a member or not, come explore exciting new activities for every age. 📍 Multiple locations | ⏰ Sat 22 & Sun 23 Nov More info

🍫 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (All Weekend) NETheatre brings you the devilishly delicious tale of young Charlie Bucket and his adventure inside Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. A world of pure imagination awaits! 📍 Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road | ⏰ 7:30pm (2:30pm matinees) More info

✨ Enchanted Light Trail at Farmer Ed’s (All Weekend) Step into a magical world after dark with glowing pathways, themed zones, dazzling archways and interactive displays. Toast marshmallows by the fire at the Alpine Lodge, plus mulled wine and hot chocolate! 📍 Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe | ⏰ 3:30-9pm More info

🎵 Day Fever (Saturday) Party to the best feel-good music personally curated by Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers. An afternoon of no holds barred fun times and dancing! 📍 York Barbican | ⏰ Sat 22 Nov, 3pm More info

🐕 Dashing Dachshund Christmas Tour (Sunday) Festive chaos in the best way possible! 100s of sausage dogs, Christmas jumpers, puppuccinos and plenty of wagging tails. Free present for every dachshund! 📍 Jalou York, 2 Micklegate | ⏰ Sun 23 Nov, 10am-1:30pm More info

🎁 SPARK Christmas Maker’s Market (Sunday) Support local creativity with handcrafted gifts, local treats and festive cheer from independent makers, artists and small businesses. 📍 SPARK:York, Piccadilly | ⏰ Sun 23 Nov, 10am-4pm More info

⚡ The Music of Harry Potter by Mystery Ensemble (Sunday) Unforgettable music from the Harry Potter films including John Williams’ masterful ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ performed by the extraordinary Mystery Ensemble. 📍 National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate | ⏰ Sun 23 Nov, 5pm More info

That’s your weekend sorted, York!

From public art and tourism tax debates to hot tub hideaways and dachshund Christmas parties – it’s been another cracking week in our city. Wrap up warm, dodge the showers, and have a brilliant weekend whatever you’re up to!

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