Beach Pollution Row Reaches Boiling Point

Hey Scarborough! Here's what's happening this week 👋

This week’s newsletter really shows the contrast of life on the coast - big decisions being made in council chambers, and at the same time, plenty of reasons to head out and enjoy yourself locally.

The financial headlines are hard to miss. Council tax is set for another rise, water bills are on the way up, and questions around pollution affecting Scarborough’s beaches are back in focus. A public meeting planned for the coming weeks will dig into why South Bay continues to struggle with water quality, and many people will be watching closely to see what comes next. These stories may not be cheerful, but they matter to everyone living and working here.

Thankfully, there is also a lighter side to this edition. Whitby is embracing its love of all things steampunk with a packed weekend of stalls, costumes and entertainment, and there is no shortage of live music, theatre and community events across the area.

Looking a little further ahead, the Scarborough Food and Drink Festival is also on the horizon, bringing global flavours, street food and fairground fun back to the Open Air Theatre this spring. It is a good excuse to make some plans and support local events while you can.

Keep reading for the full lineup of events and activities happening soon.

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⭐ Corfu’s top-rated luxury stay – Ikos Odisia

When TripAdvisor travellers rank a hotel as the number one place to stay in Corfu, it's usually for good reason. Ikos Odisia is set in a secluded bay on the Ionian coast, backed by forest and elevated above its own private stretch of shoreline, giving it an away-from-it-all feel from the moment you arrive.

Once you’re there, it’s the kind of place where you don’t feel any pressure to do much at all. Most days can be as simple as spending time by the water, enjoying the views, and letting everything tick along without thinking about plans or times. The focus is on being comfortable and relaxed rather than being kept busy.

Check it out for yourself here

📰 Scarborough Life

⚙️ Whitby goes full Steampunk this weekend. Expect brass, goggles, and elegance at Whitby Pavilion from Friday, 6 February. Highlights include 80 trade stands, guest appearances from Doctor Who’s Terry Molloy, and a Depeche Mode tribute. Get the full event timings.

💸 Council tax set for the maximum hike. North Yorkshire Council plans a 4.99% rise, the highest allowed, following a "disappointing" £43m financial hit from the government. Band D households face a £96.78 annual jump to keep essential rural services running.

🦭 Stay "seal-safe" on Scarborough’s sands. Police are urging locals to give a resting pup plenty of space after it attracted crowds this week. Keep dogs on leads and avoid those selfies to prevent causing the animal stress.

💩 Scarborough's "poor" water quality under the microscope. A public meeting in March will grill experts on why South Bay is still failing safety tests. New research suggests that Scalby Beck is a major source of human and animal waste pollution being swept into the bay.

🍔 Get your fat pants ready, Scarborough. The Food and Drink Festival returns to the Open Air Theatre from 11-12 April. Expect global treats, fairground thrills, and stalls. It is set to be tastier than ever.

🚽 A potential "toilet tax" has been flushed away - for now. North Yorkshire Council postponed plans to charge up to 50p for public loos following a backlash. Campaigners have vowed to keep the service free to pee across the county.

🔥 MPs demand cash for wildfire recovery. Following the massive Fylingdales blaze that scorched 10 square miles last summer, local MPs are pushing for a dedicated Government fund. Kevin Hollinrake and Alison Hume have joined forces to back the campaign for fair compensation.

🏠 Whitby’s eco-village is finally a go. Nearly 50 "net zero" affordable homes are coming to Stainsacre Lane. These properties feature triple glazing and solar panels, saving residents up to 90% on carbon emissions. Check the latest details.

🎸 The Commitments are bringing soul to Whitby. Dust off your dancing shoes for a massive 35th-anniversary screening and live show at The Royal Hotel on 12 September. Expect all the hits from Mustang Sally to Midnight Hour. Grab tickets here.

🎭 Whitby eyes the "Town of Culture" crown. The town council is backing a bid for the UK's first-ever title in 2028. With the 300th anniversary of Captain Cook’s birth and a possible return of the Endeavour replica, locals believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

💰 Town Council builds "war chest" despite tax cut. Scarborough’s Reform-led council is boosting reserves to £177,500 to guard against shocks. While the precept drops, critics argue that community grants are being slashed to fund it.

🔥 Fire service tax hike on the table. Mayor David Skaith proposes a £9.60 annual rise for Band D homes to fund vital station upgrades. With government grants falling, the extra cash will help Scarborough crews tackle increasingly frequent wildfires.

🚧 Glen Esk Road remains a no-go zone. Closed for 18 months following a landslip, repairs might finally start later this year once a contractor is found. Local drivers must keep enduring the diversions.

🚰 Yorkshire Water bills are set to surge. Prices will rise by 5.6% from April to fund an £8.3bn investment package. Critics are fuming, calling it a "broken system" that hikes costs despite continued sewage discharge failures.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue

🎸 TICKET GIVEAWAY!! for The Rob Dylan Band. We are giving readers the chance to see the band live at Scarborough Spa. Interested? Make sure you enter the competition.

🏥 NHS Trust faces £31m black hole. Crumbling infrastructure at Scarborough Hospital is driving a massive deficit.

🕰️ Council snubs £20,000 golden clock repair. The "beautiful" gilded timepiece faces an uncertain future. The Civic Society is now searching for a way to save the landmark.

Smart starts here.

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🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

We keep it short here - head to our EVENTS PAGE for links and future events.

Friday, February 6

09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
18:00 💃 Line Dancing - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
18:15 🎭 An Introduction to Rural Touring - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:00 🎩 Steampunk Fashion Show & Social - Whitby Pavilion
19:45 🎭 Glitch: The Post Office Scandal - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
20:30 🎤 Open Mic Night - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Saturday, February 7

08:00 🌊 Saturday Sea Swim - Filey Coble Landing
10:00 🐎 Valenti’s Mini Jumping - Brigg View Farm
10:00 🎨 Mosaic Vintage Crockery Workshop - Ebberston Studios, Scarborough
11:30 🧘 Yogalates - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:45 🎭 Glitch: The Post Office Scandal - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:00 🎧 Silent Disco 80's vs Ibiza Anthems - The Tipi Venue, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 An Evening of Burlesque Cabaret - Scarborough Spa Theatre
19:30 🎶 The Devout: Ultimate Depeche Mode - Whitby Pavilion, Whitby
19:45 🎭 Glitch: The Post Office Scandal - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Fizzyfish @ The Pier - Pier Inn, Whitby

Sunday, February 8

10:00 🛍️ Table Top Sales - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
10:00 🐎 Valentines 40cm - 90cm Jumping - Brigg View Farm
11:00 🎨 Valentine Hearts Mosaic Workshop - Scarborough Mosaic Workshop
16:00 🌊 Sunday Sea Swim - Filey Coble Landing
18:00 🎶 Carioca Soul: Live - The Lookout On The Pier, Scarborough
19:00 🎶 Sunday Sessions - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough

📅 Got A Local Event To Share?

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
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📮 Community Classifieds

 🎤 Legendary Tom Jones is at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 18:00, with support from Stone Foundation. Find tickets.

🍽️ Roast dinners are served every Sunday at Sanctuary Bar Scarborough from 12 pm-8 pm. Butter-roasted beef, garlic-crusted turkey or pork shoulder. £9.99 each.

🏔️ AllTrails App - Leading fitness and travel app for hiking, biking, and running. Explore 500k+ trail maps with offline access - £35.99/year. Start your free trial.

🏨 The Churchill Hotel, York - Get 10% off room rates plus 5% cashback through The Guestbook. Use code Direct. Valid until Jan 27, 2027. Book here

🍽️ Winter Season Special at Nine Eighty Bistro + Bar - Enjoy a 2-course meal for £22. Available Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. View deal

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