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Kirkbymoorside resident Jean Illingworth who won the BBC York 'Great Neighbour' award in the 2025 'Make a Difference Awards' was on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday 25th March 2026 talking about the town she loves that has a 'long history and a big heart' and why she was given the award. Jean stressed the importance of  strong local communities and the need for neighbours looking out for each other in these 'difficult times'. She said that if "everyone who was helped by someone did the same for someone else, it would spread in an ever-growing chain of kindness." Jean managed to get a plug in for this year's Kirkbymoorside Gateway to the Moors Music Festival which is 31st July - 2nd August - see the website for more details: https://www.kirkbymoorsidetown.co.uk/kirkbymoorside-music-festival-2026 She was asked to appear on the show as part of the launch of this year's BBC Make a Difference Awards alongside 2025 BBC WM 'Young Hero' award winner Frazer, an 11-year-old football podcaster who is registered blind said he wanted to inspire other visually impaired people and help them to "think positively". So, if you know of anyone who makes a difference locally, say thank you to them by nominating them for the 2026 Make a Difference Awards. Nominations are open now and close at 5pm on Monday 31 March. For a full list of categories, see below - and details of how to nominate someone - go to bbc.co.uk/makeadifference , where you can also see full Terms and our Privacy Notice. This year’s award categories are: The Volunteer Award : Awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to the community by giving their time voluntarily to help others. The Community Group Award (supported by Morning Live): Awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community. The Fundraiser Award : Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause. The Young Hero Award : awarded to an individual or group of young people under 16 who have made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional. The Great Neighbour Award : Awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness. The Active Award : Awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community. The Environmental Award : Awarded to an individual or group of people who improve or conserve their local environment. The Animal Award : Awarded to either a remarkable animal that improves people's lives, or an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of animals.

Most of the 2026 Kirkbymoorside Music Festival events are now detailed on the Kirkbymoorside Town website, so have a look and start planning your festival weekend https://www.kirkbymoorsidetown.co.uk/kirkbymoorside-music-festival-2026 There is something for everyone, with a wide variety of musical genres at venues all over town. Early Bird and combined events tickets are selling fast so don't miss out - get your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/kirkbymoorside-gateway-tmoors-music-festival-2026-4812580?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb Also available to pre-order are limited edition festival t-shirts and hoodies at https://www.kirkbymoorsidetown.co.uk/category/festival-merchandise Kirkbymoorside Music Festival 2026 limited edition hoodies Kirkbymoorside Music Festival 2026 limited edition t-shirts

After the success of the inaugural Kirkbymoorside Gateway to the Moors Music Festival last summer, plans are well underway to repeat it again in 2026, bigger and better! Still encompassing and celebrating ‘Yorkshire Day’ as the focal point of the festival, the 2026 dates are Friday 31 st  July - Sunday 2 nd  August .  Events will take place across town centre venues and Church Street, and, as with last year’s festival, will be a mixture of ticketed, ‘for donations’ or free events with something for everyone. There will be more dance this year, with both Bollywood and Line Dance (back by popular demand) classes, Morris Dance sides performing, and a Ceilidh. Also back by popular demand for the Saturday night are the Maestros, who last year performed as the ‘Bootleg 60’s’ and gave us an unforgettable night of live music that had everyone up and dancing all night. This year they will perform the music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and the evening is bound to sell out. Another likely sell-out is our own amazing Kirkby Soul playing live on the Friday night. Two other ‘must-see’ acts are John Drakes (once more back by popular demand) and the wonderful ‘Boo Hewerdine’, an international star performing at the festival as a special favour to the organisers. John is supported by Lost in Eve, a female singer songwriter duo with wonderful harmonies who some were lucky enough to see at Rural Acoustic Music (RAM) in December last year. Boo is supported by singer songwriter Tymisha who has an incredible voice, making it an unforgettable evening. Saturday in the Methodist Church is a day dedicated to folk/ acoustic/traditional music, starting off with ukulele and then bodhrán lessons, then two brilliant duos, Mills and Farrell and The Browns and then local folk singer Nessy Williamson (who many enjoyed last year when she performed in the Moorside Coffee House). To finish the day off will be the Celtic Music Circle followed by a ‘sing-around’ where anyone can play. Over the weekend, the White Swan is showcasing some of our own fabulous Kirkbymoorside acts, including Alkelda, Spanking Monkeys, Diva Strop, the Moorside 3, the Infernos, Grayson and Jacobs and the Cover Ups. On Sunday morning there will be a 2-hour children’s disco party in the Memorial Hall, which due to the generous sponsorship of Little Years Nursery, will be free. There will be Country with the Howard Hebron Band in the Memorial Hall on Sunday afternoon, followed by the return of the Jackhare Ceilidh Band. Downstairs in the Memorial Hall will be the Acoustic Bar all weekend, with lots of wonderful acts performing, free entry and specially brewed KirkbymoorCidar on sale. There will other free performance in pubs and cafes across the town. We are delighted to have the return to All Saints of the Weighton Waytes Choir on Sunday afternoon, an extraordinarily moving choir that sings from the sacred to the contemporary. Our incredible Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band will play outside around midday on Saturday and, as a stunning finale to the festival on Sunday Evening in the James Holt Concert Hall, they will be joined by singers and musicians to perform the first ever ‘Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts BRASS Band’. Tickets are already on sale for some events at Eventbrite and more information and links to ticketing is available on the town website: https://www.kirkbymoorsidetown.co.uk/kirkbymoorside-music-festival-2026 . The purpose of the festival is not just to hear some great live music and have fun, but to promote the town and boost the local economy, and it is hoped that local shops and business will join in with window displays, special offers and their own promotion of the festival and their business. Anyone interested in helping out with the festival as stewards, technicians, bar staff or venue set-up / supervision should email Festival Director Jean Illingworth at kirkbymoorside.town@outlook.com .

Kirkbymoorside has, arguably, the best Christmas lights in North Yorkshire, with the traditional 'little trees' on the front of buildings, the big swags across roads and the lengths of icicle light garlanding the town centre. Then we have a few bigger Christmas trees dotted about and some splendid shop windows, all adding to the festival feel. Where better to get your last minute Christmas presents or enjoy a festive drink and a warm welcome in the pubs and cafes of this historic market town? Wishing you a very happy Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

It might seem a strange thing to be blogging about, but the new road surface through Kirkbymoorside town centre is cause for celebration, as for years the road has been an embarrassment, full of potholes and cracks, a hazard to vehicles and pedestrians alike. The poor road surface has been a constant topic of conversation, almost as much as the weather, and there has been regular complaints to NYC, the Town Council (who were complaining to NYC as well), MP's and anyone who would listen! In preparation for the annual Kirkbymoorside 10K race, for the last few years race officials, in a attempt to stop runner twisting ankles, have used florescent spray paint to highlight the worse areas. But no more! After several postponed dates, contractors from NYC have worked tirelessly at night (so as not to stop town centre use during the day) in cold, dark, rain and snow and have done a smashing job. We now have the road surface our lovely town deserves, in good time for the 10k race on 3rd May 2026. Thank you NYC Highways.

2024 Kirkbymoorside Community Award Building on the success of the Kirkbymoorside Community Awards last year, when we recognised and celebrated contributors from voluntary/charity organisations, membership groups, individuals, and young people all making a positive impact in the community we are so proud of, the Town Council is pleased to announce the nominations process is now open for 2025! We are looking for nominations this year in three categories: ·         The Group Award: voluntary/charity/membership organisation of the year ·         The Individual and / or ‘Quiet Contributor’ of the year ·         The Young Person of the year (0 – 25 years of age) and all must be operationally active in the designated geographic area (Kirkbymoorside).  The Town Council may also make a discretionary award, for the overall outstanding contribution. With warm memories of last year’s event as can be seen in the photographs, the celebratory event will take place in Kirkbymoorside on Saturday 27 th  September at the Memorial Hall when we will welcome the nominees (and limited number of guests) in all categories, the nominators, event sponsors, community representatives, and we will be entertained again by the Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band.  We are also delighted that Angus Ashworth from Ryedale Auctioneers, has agreed to anchor the event for us. The Town Mayor, Joe Coughlan commented “We are thrilled to be making this an annual event recognising the kindness of our residents making a positive difference to the fabric of the Kirkbymoorside community.  We look forward to receiving nominations, and the challenging task of selecting winners!” The easy-to-complete nominations form and guidance notes are available to download from the Kirkbymoorside Town Council website, or can be collected from the library or the Home Decorating Centre in Kirkbymoorside.  The nominations window is now open until 5 th September, so something to think about over the summer and make your nominations.

Tickets for the Kirkbymoorside Gateway to the Moors Music Festival are now live on Eventbrite , with some great Early Bird prices aimed at local residents. There is an amazing line up of fabulous performers, with something for everyone over the Yorkshire Day weekend, so don't miss out- get your Early Bird tickets whilst they last (limited time period only). See the Kirkbymoorside Town Website  for details of all the events.

Exciting progress is being made in organising the town's first music festival, planned for this summer, Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd August. The dates were chosen for 4 reasons - it's when the town retailers are often at their quietest and need a boost of people coming into the town, its a date not to clash with other music festivals in the north, its when hopefully we will have good weather and finally, because Friday 1st August is Yorkshire Day, and what better way to celebrate! Events will take place in venues all over town, including the Memorial Hall, the Moorside Room, All Saints Church and pubs and cafes, with a wide range of genres so that there will be something for everyone. Some events will be ticketed and some free or for donations, to be accessible to all. The Town Brass Band will play outside the Spar around Saturday mid-day, and we hope there will also be 'Buskers on the Buttercross' to liven up the town. Each day will have a main theme - Friday acoustic and 60's (tbc), Saturday country (with line dancing classes as well as a great country band) and Sunday 40's with a 40's themed Tea Dance. We do hope people will add to the fun and dress up for the events. In between will be jazz, classical, choral and folk and much more. So put the dates in your diary and check the kirkbymoorsidetown.co.uk website and Kirkbymoorside what's going on for more details as they are announced.

Called 'North Yorkshire's Best 10k', race day will kick off at about 11:45am when the Beadlam Tractor Run will parade through the town, followed at 12:55pm with the ‘Toddler Dash’, open to children up to the age of 6. Then at around 1pm it's the ‘4km Fun Race’ (open to young people from 11) and the ‘Children’s 1 Mile’ (open to children from 7 to 11). At 2pm the main event, the Kirkbymoorside 10k race, sets off through the lovely countryside around the town, with some challenging uphill sections as the runner climb towards Gillamoor and Fadmoor. All the races finish down the High Street so please come and cheer on the runners, before dropping into the Kings Head for the B-B-Q and race prize presentation.