Freedom Festival Arts Trust is proud to announce the 2025 festival dates and an exciting offer of indoor performances, alongside developments under the new leadership of Festival Director Phil Hargreaves, who joined the organisation in September 2024. Since taking the helm, Phil has embarked on an extensive programme of listening and learning – gathering feedback from attendees, artists, sponsors, and partners – to enhance the festival’s impact and visitor experience. His work includes research across Europe, visiting innovative shows and performances, as well as garnering connections that elevate Hull’s status as a world-class international festival destination.

The East Riding Festival of Words is returning for another year
This September and October, the Festival of Words will host a selection of best-selling authors who will share their thoughts on their latest work whilst engaging the audience in compelling discussions.
Organised by East Riding Libraries and funded by Arts Council England, the Festival programme has been put together by librarians from the service, based on authors, poets and other creative writers who are popular with library members and customers.

East Riding sports association join White Ribbon campaign to tackle violence against women and girls
The East Riding County Football Association have obtained White Ribbon accreditation, signing up to the campaign prevent violence against women and girls in the East Riding.
As part of the required governance structure, East Riding County FA produced a new Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which includes a commitment to behaviours and culture that enables the game to be safe and enjoyable for all who work, play and volunteer within the local football community.

Bra collection drive at Millers Day Service to support local breast cancer charity
Millers Day Services in Beverley has once again shown its community spirit by collecting over 1000 bras throughout June in support of Hull and East Riding (HER) Breast Friends charity.
HER Breast Friends is a proactive, volunteer-led charity based in Hull, dedicated to supporting individuals affected by breast cancer across Hull, the East Riding of Yorkshire, and North East Lincolnshire.

Council Leader announces ward budget boost to “make Hull cleaner, greener and safer”
The Leader of Hull City Council has signed off a plan that will see local ward funds, known as ‘Community Initiative Budgets (CIB)’, boosted by Hull City Council.
The budgets are used at the ward level and allow local ward councillors to support projects that benefit the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the area.

Leading Retirement Developer Making Homes More Affordable At New Community In Beverley
McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, is now offering affordable shared ownership properties for older people at Westwood Manor, their new development now available in Beverley, East Riding. Apartments are available from £168,750 for a 75% share of a one-bedroom property, with no rent to pay on the remaining share*. The developer is offering these apartments to make retirement living accessible for a wider group of people than has been possible before.

Join us for the Weighton Wolds Rotary Club Classic Car Show at Langlands Garden Centre
Langlands Garden Centre in Shiptonthorpe will once again host the Weighton Wolds Rotary Club’s Annual Charity Classic Car Show over the Bank Holiday weekend on Sunday, August 24th, and Monday, August 25th, 2025. The event will raise funds in support of York Against Cancer, a local charity providing vital cancer services.
The British Garden Centres store promises a spectacular two day showcase featuring over 200 classic cars each day. Visitors can enjoy a stunning variety of vehicles, including the pre-war cars and beloved modern classics. The show offers a unique chance to meet dedicated classic car enthusiasts from East, West, and South Yorkshire.

Commuted sums benefit four groups in Driffield
Four groups from Driffield have been awarded a combined total of over £375,000 from East Riding of Yorkshire Council as part of commuted sums to improve their offer to the community.
Driffield RUFC has been awarded £150,000 from commuted sums to extend their clubhouse. The current clubhouse no longer fits the needs of the club, and the planned two-storey extension will benefit them greatly.

Sewerby Hall and Gardens wins top Tripadvisor award
Sewerby Hall and Gardens, near Bridlington, has been awarded a top national award, recognising its commitment to hospitality excellence.
The ‘Travelers’ Choice’ recognition, awarded by Tripadvisor, states that Sewerby Hall and Gardens is among the top 10% of all listings on the popular travel review site, over the last 12 months.

New planning guidelines adopted for Garden Village
New and refreshed planning guidelines shaping how future developments should take place in the Garden Village Conservation Area have now been adopted in full and will come into effect from tomorrow, Friday 1 August.
The Article 4 Direction introduces additional planning controls for ‘Cross Overs’ and ‘Hard Standings’ and is intended to control the removal of hedge boundaries from the Conservation Area.

See and Be Seen: How Better Head-Lights Cut Risk on East Riding’s Rural Lanes
Lighting problems in the dark are a real challenge for any driver. Just imagine: you’re driving along the Meaux Road and suddenly realise that one of your headlights has simply stopped working. The visibility has dropped to less than 30 metres and you are almost groping your way along the road. With this kind of visibility, any obstacle on the road will come as a surprise.

The best and worst places in Yorkshire & Humber for food hygiene ratings as region claims fifth spot in the national rankings
The towns and cities across Yorkshire and Humberside that score highest and lowest for their food hygiene ratings have been revealed, thanks to a report from online training provider High Speed Training, marking 15 years since the introduction of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
The report, which analysed Food Standards Agency (FSA) data for over 240,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, found that in Yorkshire and Humberside, the average food hygiene rating across all food establishments was 4.58 from 21,098 premises, which places the region 5th in the national rankings.

CCTV camera towers installed across East Riding in fight against fly-tipping
A series of CCTV cameras using AI technology are being installed at hotspots across the East Riding in the fight against fly-tipping.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is fitting high-tech towers of CCTV cameras at sites in Cottingham, Hessle, Boynton near Bridlington and Rawcliffe near Goole, in a bid to catch any fly-tippers in the act on film.

Commuted sums assist Market Weighton Town Council
Market Weighton Town Council has been awarded £268,000 from East Riding of Yorkshire Council to transform Beckside Park, as part of commuted sums. The town council will contribute £62,000 to the £330,000 total project cost.

£125,000 scheme to improve road and drainage issues to begin in Cottingham
Essential work to improve a road in Cottingham and rectify its drainage problems is due to begin in August.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is to invest £125,000 is upgrading the road surface and addressing drainage problems on Newgate Street, Cottingham.

Educational Charity Appoints First Fundraising and Events Co-ordinator Amid Record Demand
The Run With It educational charity has appointed its first ever Fundraising and Events Co-ordinator as it continues to grow and expand its services across the Humber region.
Alison Parker brings a strong background in working with community groups, charities, the VCSE sector and local authorities, having previously built relationships with organisations across Holderness to deliver health and wellbeing initiatives to local people.

From apprentice to manager – 360 accountants announce latest promotion
360 Chartered Accountants is delighted to announce the promotion of Olivia Sutton from assistant manager to manager.
Having joined 360 straight from school as an apprentice in 2017, Olivia passed her ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualifications to become fully qualified as a chartered accountant last year. She had passed her AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) exams two years previously.

Businesses and charities collaborate with St Anne’s Sixth Form to empower young people with SEND through work-based learning
Young people from St Anne’s School and Sixth Form welcomed local businesses to hear about, and see first-hand, how skills and work-based opportunities are helping them prepare for adulthood.
St Anne’s School and Sixth Form supports children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Young people aged 16 to 19 who attend the sixth form benefit from work experience on site at the school and with local businesses and charities.