News from around North Yorkshire:
More opportunities to play and learn in new playground
A school is giving its youngest pupils the chance to boost wellbeing and enjoy time together, thanks to the transformation of their playground.
The outside play area at Masham Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has been given a makeover, replacing what was once a tired and outdated space with a fresh, engaging, and multi-purpose environment for children in Reception and Year 1.
The revamp, which began just before Christmas, has created a large, surfaced area where children in early years, of all abilities, can have fun, explore, develop their physical strength, and learn as part of the curriculum. A newly introduced wooden canopy provides shelter for outdoor learning in all weather conditions, while also encouraging imaginative play.
Before the upgrade, the playground had become worn-out and was in disrepair, with an asphalt surface that wasn’t ideal for young children. Now, the area has been transformed with artificial grass, creating a safer and more suitable environment for play and learning.
New guide brings inspiration for your next North Yorkshire adventure
Visitors to the county can now plan their perfect getaway with ease, thanks to the newly launched 2025 North Yorkshire Visitor Guide.
Packed with inspiration for days out, accommodation and top food and drinks spots, the guide highlights everything from the rolling dales and the dramatic moors of two National Parks to charming villages and nearly 100 miles of stunning coastline.
It also features family attractions, lively events and endless outdoor adventure ideas, alongside recommendations for award-winning restaurants and cafes serving local produce.
For culture lovers there is information about museums, galleries, music venues and theatres as well as opportunities to learn about the region’s rich history and the chance to get back to nature by visiting our world-class gardens.
The guide is available to pick up in Tourist Information Centres and visitor attractions across the county and wider region. View the online North Yorkshire visitor guide.
Falling In love with adult learning
Residents in Northallerton were invited to fall in love with learning to help celebrate the opening of new classrooms in the town.
Adult Learning North Yorkshire hosted the launch event held on Valentine’s Day 14 February, at Campus@Northallerton. It featured hands-on activities, including Virtual Reality experiences and needle felting, while the team provided career advice for those interested in working with children.
The new classrooms have already welcomed learners for maths and digital courses, with accountancy courses coming soon.
For anyone wanting to kick-start a career, pick up a new hobby or better support your children with their schoolwork, Adult Learning North Yorkshire offers a wide range of courses delivered online and in classrooms across the county. Evening and weekend courses are also available.
Financial support is offered for childcare, exam fees, and more. A laptop can also be provided free of charge, to loan for the duration of the course. A total of 92 per cent of learners study for free.
Experience something new during Whitby Restaurant Week
Residents and visitors are being urged to try something new as Restaurant Week comes to Whitby.
Whitby is synonymous with fish and chips and while there is always space for a chippy tea, the town has numerous other eateries offering a wide choice of culinary delights.
Organised by Visit North Yorkshire, which is part of North Yorkshire Council, 16 cafes and restaurants across the popular coastal resort are taking part in the event, which runs from 3 to 9 March, and has already proved a success in Harrogate and Selby.
Those that have signed up to Restaurant Week will offer special set-price menus for either £10, £15, £20 or £30 to customers who visit their location and quote the offer.
One of those taking part is Becketts, a small independent café on Skinner Street.
Owners Liam and Julie Fitzpatrick, originally from the Midlands, took early retirement from careers in education and moved to Whitby four years ago.
“We think it is important that we have a Restaurant Week here because it promotes Whitby and highlights the variety of establishments there are in the town. It is not just fish and chips, there are a lot of independent cafes such as ours too,” said Julie.
“We are on a street out of the harbour, so you have to make a bit of an effort to come to us,” added Liam. “We will often get people coming in who say, ‘we have been coming to Whitby for 20 years and didn’t know this street existed’. So, any awareness that we can get both for our business and others is brilliant – it is community-driven.”
Visit North Yorkshire is working with local radio station, This is the Coast, to promote Restaurant Week. See details of participating restaurants.
North Yorkshire's own tourism superstar nominated for award
A worker from a much-loved Scarborough tourist attraction has been nominated in a national award led by the National Tourist Board, VisitEngland.
Operations manager at Scarborough North Bay Railway, Steve Johnson, is among 10 finalists competing for the 2025 Tourism Superstar title.
The awards, now in their 13th year, celebrate unsung tourism heroes across England. Last year, North Yorkshire’s Rob Brown of Dalby Forest Cycle Hub came second.
Scarborough North Bay Railway, has been welcoming visitors for over 90 years and is said to be Britain’s biggest miniature railway. Steve’s passion for trains began as a child, and he has dedicated his career to the attraction, starting as a volunteer before earning an apprenticeship in train operations.
Nominated for his “beyond the ordinary” contributions, Steve has led major initiatives to secure the railway’s future, built a strong team, and introduced popular ideas like the “Flying Sconesman” afternoon tea experience.
Peter Bryant, co-owner of the railway, said: “Steve’s endearing personality and passion for the railway make him an exceptional ambassador for us. His enthusiasm shines through in everything he does, creating unforgettable experiences for our visitors. Whether he’s driving the train, inviting children to learn the controls and blow the whistle, or spreading holiday cheer as an Elf on the festive “Jingle Belle” train ride, Steve goes above and beyond to engage and delight his audience.”
The public can vote for the winner, to be announced at the end of English Tourism Week, which runs from 14 to 23 March. Visit North Yorkshire is urging everyone to support Steve. Cast your vote.
Town centre regeneration works to drive further investment
Work to transform Sherburn-in-Elmet town centre for the benefit of residents, visitors and local businesses has got underway.
A series of upgrades will be made to the east side of Low Street, improving local facilities and the area’s appearance to drive investment and create a more attractive town centre.
They include replacing poor surfacing including damaged cobbles, discoloured pavements and blocked gullies. New parking bays will be created, while new public benches, signage and a new town centre map will be installed.
The work is being undertaken as part of funding of up to £800,000 that has been allocated to bring a package of improvements to Sherburn-in-Elmet.
It is expected to take up to six months to complete and will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption for residents, visitors and businesses in the town, focusing on areas between The Swan pub and C & G Starkey Family Butchers.
Jonathan France has owned fish and chip shop The Fish Bank, on Low Street, since 2019.
He said: “Sherburn-in-Elmet has a classic and bustling high street that offers a lot for residents and visitors.
“There is an influx of new families moving to the area and a big part of that is because of what the high street has to offer. Anything that can be done to make it look even better is something I’m pleased to support.”
The improvements have been financed in part by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which is administered by us in the county.
Share your views to make the county’s taxis more accessible
Residents are encouraged to take part in a consultation to help improve wheelchair-accessible taxi services across North Yorkshire.
Currently, only 70 wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) are licensed, equating to one for every 9,000 residents. While rural areas typically have fewer WAVs, the best-performing rural councils provide one for every 2,000 to 3,000 people—meaning North Yorkshire would need around 200 more to match this.
In recent years, the former borough and district licensing authorities tried to increase the number of WAVs in their respective localities but there has been little uptake. We are now exploring new options and seeking public feedback.
People can also share their views on the draft Inclusive Service Plan (ISP), which focuses on improving transport access for wheelchair users, assistance dog owners, and others with mobility needs.
Additionally, we are also consulting on changes to the hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy. Although this is targeted at the trade, anybody can share their views.
This could include changes to age limits, issuing restricted private hire driver licences, reducing the frequency of driver medical assessments, and assessing the minimum luggage space that is required.
The consultation will run until Wednesday, 30 April. See details and have your say.
Milton Rooms seeks volunteers to support growing programme
An appeal has been launched to find volunteers to help run a music, arts and entertainment venue.
Following a £500,000 council grant, the Milton Rooms in Malton, which are leased from us, have been revamped and grown into a thriving arts and community hub hosting live music, comedy, theatre, exhibitions and public events, thanks to the volunteers and trustees who run it.
The venue, which is a registered charity, boasts a 300-capacity main hall and a studio bar and now has upgraded lighting and sound systems plus improved accessibility and modern facilities.
With the increasing number of events, the team is looking for people to support areas such as administration, front of house, bar work, technical support, marketing and maintenance.
The venue’s manager, Lisa Rich, said: "The team here at The Milton Rooms has worked tirelessly to ensure that we can continue to deliver a diverse, professional and creative programme of events and be an inclusive community hub, hosting charities, groups and local businesses.
"We are now looking for new volunteers and trustees to join the team here – people who are passionate about the arts and have a genuine interest in supporting not only the Milton Rooms, but the success and wellbeing of our wider community. As part of the team, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the shows and productions here at our venue and work alongside likeminded people with a love for the arts and community."
For more information on getting involved, contact info@themiltonrooms.com.
Villagers connected as new stop added to touring library
Residents in Fairburn, near Sherburn in Elmet, can now access the county’s vast library collection on their doorstep when the touring vehicle makes its monthly stop.
North Yorkshire Council’s supermobile library carries about 3,000 items of stock, including books, DVDs, and audiobooks.
The library visited Fairburn for the first-time last month and will stop in the village outside of the community centre on North Road.
The supermobile library issues more than 1,500 books and is visited about 420 times every month.
See the full timetable for our supermobile library.
Library users can browse the vehicle to choose books. Alternatively, staff can select books for collection by calling 01609 533878 or emailing supermobile@northyorks.gov.uk
Big Community Switch launches to secure lower energy tariffs
Residents across North Yorkshire have the chance to save on their energy bills through a new round of the Big Community Switch.
The nationwide free community group buying scheme, which we support, is designed to secure better energy deals for households.
Under the scheme, residents can benefit from the cheapest energy tariff on the market at rates well below the Ofgem Price Cap. It also ensures suppliers offer 100 per cent renewable electricity supporting the council’s commitment to sustainability.
The project ensures that households have access to competitive deals through a hassle-free process. Suppliers compete for the opportunity to offer the lowest energy tariff, and there is no need to compare different tariffs as everyone registered receives a personal offer.
Since launching in 2012, the Big Community Switch has seen over 2.1 million people register their interest in switching energy contracts.
Households can register online before 28 April. See more information on the Big Community Switch.
Help shape rules for dog walking on the beach
Residents are being encouraged to comment on the rules for walking dogs in the Filey, Scarborough and Whitby area to ensure everybody can enjoy a safe and clean environment.
We launched a public consultation earlier this month on the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to support responsible ownership.
It outlines areas in which a dog must be put on a lead when directed, rules around dog fouling and any dog exclusion areas.
Following a previous consultation in 2023 and feedback received, the council has identified areas that need to be reviewed.
This includes removing dog restrictions from Olivers Mount playing fields and Tate Hill Beach, and adding Valley Road Gardens and Linden Close. The rules around dog fouling would remain.
Take part in the consultation until Monday, 17 March. Following the consultation, the Public Space Protection Order is set to be adopted in May.
Let’s Talk Active: What you told us and what happens next
We received 3,281 responses to the Let’s Talk Active survey and held 20 events from September to November 2024.
The findings show that while many people are happy with their activity levels, one in four are unhappy or very unhappy.
Four per cent of respondents say they do 30 minutes or more of physical activity at least three or four days a week.
The most popular outdoor activities include walking, cycling, running, and swimming, while fitness classes, swim sessions, and gym sessions are the top choices for indoor exercise. However, accessibility and distance remain significant barriers, particularly for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
In response, we are developing a new Sport and Active Wellbeing service plan, investing in facility improvements, and supporting a well-trained workforce to make activities more inclusive.
We will also work with community health champions to boost participation and ensure opportunities meet local needs.
Public’s views sought on future plans for Selby Park
A hi-tech vision to transform Selby Park has been unveiled to the public for the first time, offering a glimpse into potential plans for the historic site.
The designs were shared as part of efforts to regenerate the park which forms part of the Selby Abbey Quarter.
The park, dating back to the 1930s, was originally part of the Selby Abbey grounds and features a bowling green, bandstand, and war memorial. It sits alongside other key areas in the Abbey Quarter, including the marketplace, Micklegate, Station Road, and the bus station.
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has allocated £150,000 from the Mayoral Investment Fund to the council for development work on regeneration projects within the Abbey Quarter, with Selby Park as a priority.
Residents were invited to a public drop-in event at Selby Abbey, where they explored the designs using virtual reality headsets to immerse themselves in a 3D vision of the proposed plans created by Align Property Partners – our multi-disciplinary building design consultancy. They were also given the opportunity to share their own ideas.
Feedback from the event will shape the final designs, which aim to preserve the park’s heritage while improving its leisure facilities and accessibility.
The redevelopment of Selby Park is part of a broader initiative to improve the town, with North Yorkshire Council having secured £25.4 million from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. This funding will focus on improving connections between Selby Rail Station, the town centre, and new housing developments, enhancing the quality of life for residents.