£50,000 Plan To Move Seafront Statue

Freddie Gilroy could be getting a different sea view. The giant seated figure on North Bay is deteriorating, and a £50,000 plan would move him 200 metres along Royal Albert Drive to a more sheltered spot. He's been there for 15 years, which is quite a stretch for a sculpture originally lent to Scarborough for a month.

At York and Scarborough hospitals, the trust says it needs £736,000 to meet new maternity care requirements. Staffing and funding pressures could delay the work beyond March 2027. Both maternity services were recently rated good, but there are further national standards to meet.

Looking ahead to next summer, Kings of Leon will play the Open Air Theatre on 27 June 2027. The date to remember this week is Friday 30 October: general ticket sales open at 9 am.

Rather sooner, Whitby Christmas Festival returns from 13 to 15 November. The lights switch-on is scheduled for Friday at 7:55 pm, with fireworks on Saturday at 7:50 pm. Halloween hasn't happened yet, but the diary's moving on.

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📰 Scarborough Life

🏥 Maternity improvements need £736,000. York and Scarborough's hospital trust says meeting new maternity care requirements needs about £736,000. Staffing and funding pressures put March 2027 delivery at risk, though recent inspections rated both hospitals' maternity services good.

🌊 Motorhome waste raises coastal pollution concerns. Scarborough councillor Subash Sharma reports seeing motorhome wastewater emptied into street drains. Yorkshire Water will engage camping and caravan clubs, warning that surface-water drains can carry waste directly to the sea.

🎄 Whitby Christmas Festival dates announced. Whitby Christmas Festival returns from 13 to 15 November, with live music and family entertainment. Friday's lights switch-on is scheduled for 7:55 pm, followed by Saturday's fireworks at 7:50 pm.

🎸 Kings of Leon announce Scarborough show. The band will play Scarborough Open Air Theatre on 27 June 2027. General ticket sales open at 9 am on 30 October, with presale registration available through Cuffe & Taylor.

💷 Brunswick funding carries £1 million risk. Council papers warn Brunswick's proposed redevelopment funding could leave up to £1 million unrecoverable if work stops before construction. Phased payments and independent viability checks are proposed safeguards; the executive meets on 27 October.

🏘️ Town council opposes guesthouse conversion. Scarborough councillors unanimously objected to supported housing at The Thoresby on North Marine Road, citing lost visitor accommodation and nearby HMOs. Supporters say the 10-bedroom scheme would help vulnerable residents move towards independent living.

☀️ Solar panels for Whitby and Eastfield. Whitby Leisure Centre, Whitby Maritime Hub and Eastfield police station will receive solar panels to reduce energy bills, according to MP Alison Hume. Installation dates haven't been given.

🏠 Energy upgrades for coastal homes. Beyond Housing will fund insulation and other energy improvements across more than 500 homes in Scarborough, Whitby and East Cleveland. Surveys will determine each property's work, which could include heating controls and ventilation.

🚁 Wildfire plans include military aircraft. Following the Fylingdales and Langdale Moor fire, national plans include aircraft equipped to fight wildfires, up to £45 million for specialist response measures and £25 million for peatland restoration.

🚜 Mini tractors tackle Scarborough snow. Compact tractors stationed in Scarborough will clear footpaths and restricted urban areas this winter, reaching places larger vehicles can't. Outside winter, the same machines support parks and countryside work.

🌱 Scarborough nurseries get growing support. A McCain-funded programme will provide gardening training and planting resources for local early years settings. Grow to School will help staff teach children about growing food, healthy eating and outdoor activity.

⚽ Seadogs ease matchday drinks restrictions. Scarborough Athletic's updated matchday alcohol licence allows drinks from either bar into the stands in plastic glasses, unless FA rules prohibit it. Additional pitchside bars and Greek street food are also planned.

🏛️ Councillor allowance rise awaits decision. An independent panel recommends increasing North Yorkshire councillors' allowances by 2.6%, taking the basic annual payment from £17,964 to £18,431. Full council will decide on 18 November.

☕ Whitby's chocolate festival adds quizzes. Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival returns in November, supporting the town's defibrillator project. Tastings run from 9 to 20 November, with 13 quizzes across town from 9 to 15 November and new music events.

🗿 Freddie Gilroy statue could move. A £50,000 proposal would relocate Scarborough's Freddie Gilroy statue 200 metres along the seafront to a more sheltered spot on Royal Albert Drive. The move aims to protect the deteriorating memorial from wind and waves.

🍽️ Pier Terrace decking appeal succeeds. An inspector has approved cafe decking at 1 Pier Terrace in Scarborough despite highway objections. The decision grants planning permission; separate landowner or highway consent may still be required.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue

🏗️ Brunswick redevelopment faces three-year wait. Scarborough's Brunswick Centre could reopen mid-2029 as a cinema, shops and dining venue.

⚖️ Police investigate East Yorkshire mayor. Humberside Police are investigating cyberflashing allegations against Luke Campbell.

🍽️ Calluna opens at Sandsend's Saltmoore. The new 24-seat restaurant serves a £125 seasonal tasting menu.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

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

Sunday, 25 October

All day 🎶 Musicport Festival 2026 - Whitby Pavilion
10:00 🌊 Waves of Waste Beach Clean - South Bay, Scarborough
10:00 🛍️ Table Top Sale - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🛍️ Autumn Fayre - Xanders Cocktail Bar, Scarborough
14:00 🎭 Come Alive - YMCA, Scarborough
16:00 🎤 Under 20s Open Mic - The Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
17:00 🎯 Sunday Socials - Haddock Hideaway, Scarborough
19:00 🎶 Sunday Sessions - The Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
19:30 😂 Paul Merton & Suki Webster's Improv Show - Scarborough Spa

Monday, 26 October

09:30 🧘 Yoga Class - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
09:45 🎳 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
10:30 🎨 Creative Networking - Indie Revival, Scarborough
12:00 🌭 Sausage Week - Three Jolly Sailors, Burniston
13:30 🧵 Craft & Social Group - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🧘 Tai Chi Classes - Filey Evron Centre
14:00 🎭 The Selfish Giant - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
17:45 🧘 Clubbercise with T.J - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
18:00 🎭 The Selfish Giant - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
18:45 🥊 Beat Boxing Fitness - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 🧘 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 All At Sea - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
20:00 🎶 Live Music: Folk Club - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Tuesday, 27 October

09:30 🧘 Pilates Plus - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
10:30 🧵 Craft & Coffee Morning - Indie Revival, Scarborough
11:00 🧘 Chair Exercises - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
11:00 🎭 The Selfish Giant - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
11:15 🎳 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:00 🎧 Northern Soul Afternoon - The Cask & Keg, Scarborough
13:00 💃 Line Dancing: Beginners - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🎨 Afternoon Art Session - Robin Hood's Bay Studio & Gallery
14:00 🎭 The Selfish Giant - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
14:00 💃 Line Dancing: Improvers - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
19:00 🎯 Deaf Group - Room 22 - The Street, Scarborough
19:00 🧘 Pilates Class - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 All At Sea - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:30 🧠 Quiz Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Wednesday, 28 October

10:00 🎶 Ukulele Class - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
10:00 ☕ Happy Days Friendship Group - Hunmanby Community Centre
10:30 💃 Howard Beaumont's Coffee Dance - Scarborough Spa
11:00 💃 Circle Dancing - St. James Community Hall, Scarborough
13:00 🎃 Halloween Family Games - Scarborough Flyer
13:00 🏓 Pickleball - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
13:00 🎲 Board Games Sessions - Haddock Hideaway, Scarborough
14:00 💃 Easy Sequence Dancing - Cayton Village Hall
17:00 🧵 SEWcial Sewing & Textile - Stitched by the Beach, Scarborough
17:30 🧘 Yoga Class - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
18:45 🧘 Peach Squad: Workout - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:00 👻 Dark Tales walking tour - To The Grand Hotel, Scarborough
19:30 📷 Scarborough Camera Club - Newby & Scalby Community Hub
19:30 🧠 Quiz Night & Jackpot - The Ramshill, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 All At Sea - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:30 🧘 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough

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👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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Sue | Editor | The Scarborough Insider