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Hey Scarborough! Here's what's happening this week 👋
The state of Scarborough's bathing water has produced some genuinely strange proposals this week - and, it turns out, some genuinely strange excuses.
Yorkshire Water is exploring whether seaweed farms, mussel beds, and aquatic plants in Scalby Beck could absorb the excess nutrients that have been fouling the coastline. This is either very promising or a sign that conventional solutions have been quietly abandoned.
Separately, the reason some of the real-time overflow monitors have been flagging phantom spills in dry weather turns out to be spiders. And dust. In the sensors. At Holbeck Hill.
The Gothic Gathering returns to Whitby from 23-26 April, and Sci-Fi Scarborough lands at the Spa on 18-19 April with Paul McGann among the guests.
If you're after something at the quieter end of the spectrum, Hazlewood Castle sits in 77 acres of woodland between Leeds and York, with a thermal spa built into the original stone walls of the castle keep. Finnish sauna, aroma steam room, raindrop showers - and a 4.7 on TripAdvisor, which for a hotel is essentially unheard of. Worth a look if you want a proper change of scene without going very far.
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📰 Scarborough Life
🌿 Seaweed Mooted as Sewage Fix. Yorkshire Water and researchers are exploring whether seaweed farms, mussel beds, and aquatic plants in Scalby Beck could absorb the excess nutrients fouling Scarborough's bathing water. The outstanding question: what do you do with the seaweed afterwards?
🔬 NHS Trust Lands £595k Research Boost. York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals have secured nearly £600,000 from the NIHR to expand clinical trials and upgrade dermatology, cancer, and surgical research facilities. Coastal and rural patients have historically had fewer opportunities to participate in trials.
🧛 Goths Return to Whitby This Month. The Gothic Gathering runs 23-26 April with markets, poetry, and a night of costumed revelry called "Boo on Byron's Raging Boner." Bram Stoker would probably have gone.
🚀 Sci-Fi Scarborough Returns to the Spa. The twelfth edition of Sci-Fi Scarborough lands at the Scarborough Spa on 18-19 April, with eight themed zones and guests including Paul McGann, Danny John-Jules, and a new UFO-themed room called The Evidence Room. Run by fans, not for profit.
🌅 Wrea Head Hall, Scarborough - Summer Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Deal. A Victorian country house hotel with a rare 4.7 TripAdvisor rating, and uninterrupted views across the Yorkshire countryside. The summer package runs through to the end of September. Check the reviews before booking
🍺 Police Join the Tate Hill Tidy-Up. Whitby officers responding to anti-social behaviour on Tate Hill Beach ended up doing a late-night litter pick with those still present, filling five bags of glass bottles, cans, and broken glass. Most of those responsible weren't there to help.
📷 North Yorkshire Police Eye Facial Recognition. North Yorkshire Police plan to deploy Live Facial Recognition in intelligence-led locations across the region, comparing live footage against a watchlist of wanted individuals and those subject to court orders. The Deputy Mayor is seeking assurances on civil liberties.
🗣️ Spanish and Italian Courses Starting This Month. Language for Fun is running beginner Spanish and Italian courses across Whitby and Scarborough this spring - small groups, qualified teachers, £175 for ten sessions. Whitby starts on 15 April, Scarborough on 23 April.
🤝 Scarborough Water Summits to Continue. Officials have committed to keeping Scarborough's bathing water quality summits running, after a councillor revealed the Environment Agency had previously deprioritised Scarborough due to a lack of media and political scrutiny. Bridlington, apparently, was making more noise.
🕷️ Spider Webs Blamed for Sewage Data. Yorkshire Water says spiders and dust in underground sensors are causing false spill alerts on Scarborough's real-time overflow map - the ones that look like momentary discharges but aren't. One overflow at Holbeck Hill has been flagging phantom spills in dry weather.
💚 Woodsmith Project Shares £46k with Local Charities. Leo's Neonatal, Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary, and IDAS will each receive just over £15,000 through Anglo American's community giving programme tied to safe progress at the Woodsmith mine. The scheme has now distributed £240,000 across six years.
🐴 Anti-Grand National Art Hits Scarborough Beach. Sand artist Fred Brown has created protest artwork on Scarborough beach ahead of the Grand National, calling for the race to be banned under the hashtag #YouBetTheyDie.
⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue
🛍️ New Market and Guidebook for Scarborough. An artisan market launches on 12 April, alongside the first new guide to Scarborough in 30 years.
🏪 Out-of-Town Retail Plan Raises Eyebrows. A 2,700 sq metre supermarket, drive-through, pharmacies, restaurants and a tanning salon are proposed for Filey Road.
🌱 340 People Waiting for Neglected Allotments. Scarborough's allotments are riddled with abandoned plots and neglect, the town council has found.
If you want a spa experience that feels genuinely different, Hazlewood Castle stands out for its setting rather than flashy extras. The thermal suite is built into the original stone walls of the castle keep, which gives it a calm, enclosed feel you do not get in modern spa hotels. With a Finnish sauna, aroma steam room and raindrop showers, it is designed for lingering.
The wider setting matters just as much. The castle sits in 77 acres of woodland between Leeds and York, so it is easy to step outside, walk it off, and enjoy the contrast between spa time and fresh air. It is close enough for a short break, but far enough to feel like a proper change of scene.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
We keep it short here - head to our EVENTS PAGE for links and future events.
Monday, April 13
09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:00 ☕ Oddfellows Cuppa & Chat - St Laurence's Church Rooms, Scalby
18:00 🐶 The Puppy Social - Dunslow Court Industrial Estate, Scarborough
18:30 💃 Zumba Fitness Class - Newby & Scalby Community Hall
18:45 🥊 Beat Boxing Fitness - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 Murder for Two - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
20:00 🎶 Live Music: Folk Club - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
Tuesday, April 14
11:15 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:00 💃 Line Dancing: Beginners - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 💃 Line Dancing: Improvers - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🎨 Afternoon Art Session - Robin Hood’s Bay Studio & Gallery
14:00 🎭 Acting Showcase 2026 - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
18:15 💃 Ballroom Fitness Class - Newby & Scalby Community Hall
19:30 ❓ Quiz Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 Murder for Two - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Modern Jive Lessons - Roscoe Rooms, Scarborough
Wednesday, April 15
10:30 ♟️ Chess & Conversation - Eastfield Library, Scarborough
10:30 💃 Zumba Gold Class - Newby & Scalby Community Hall, Scarborough
11:00 💃 Circle Dancing - St. James Community Hall, Scarborough
17:00 🧵 SEWcial Sewing & Textile Craft - Stitched by the Beach, Scarborough
18:00 🧵 Sewing Classes with Millie - Burniston Methodist Church, Scarborough
18:45 💪 Peach Squad: Workout - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 ❓ Quiz Night & Jackpot - The Ramshill, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 Murder for Two - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
Thursday, April 16
09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:30 🎭 Murder for Two - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
18:30 🎨 Evening Art Session - Robin Hood’s Bay Studio & Gallery
19:30 🎭 Murder for Two - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:30 🎤 Toyah: Songs and Stories - Scarborough Spa
19:30 🎤 Q&A with Gavin Hamilton - Scarborough Cricket Club
19:30 💃 Aljaz and Janette: Music & Dance - Scarborough Spa
19:45 🎭 The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
20:00 🎤 Open Mic Night - The Imperial Filey
20:00 🎶 Alastair James Live - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
20:30 ❓ Quiz Night - Highlander Hotel, Scarborough
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The Dark Tales Walking Tour digs into the unsettling side of Scarborough's past, with stories of murder, crime and long-held local legends tied to real streets and buildings. Led by a theatrical guide, the walk moves through the seafront, Old Town and town centre, stopping at places linked to some of the town's most infamous moments.
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
From town to coast, there's always something happening in Scarborough.
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Sue | Editor | The Scarborough Rundown
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