Liana Jacob

Major works on Huddersfield station and the railway between Stalybridge and Mirfield will run from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The project includes extending the station subway, remodelling platforms, renovating the historic roof, progressing reconstruction of Deighton station, renewing track and drainage, increasing capacity and installing equipment for future electric trains. Huddersfield and Slaithwaite stations will close throughout the works, while several other stations will close on selected weekends; diverted trains and replacement buses will operate, with Brighouse as the main interchange. Rail officials say the disruption is necessary to deliver a faster, more reliable, accessible and greener railway across the Transpennine route.

Thunderstorms are possible across the UK on 19 August 2026, particularly after hot, humid and sunny conditions. Forecast probabilities vary across Yorkshire: York and Hull have the highest chances today and tomorrow at 42%, while Bradford has the lowest chance today at 27%. The likelihood generally falls through the weekend, reaching zero in most listed locations by Sunday, although Ripon retains a 16% chance. Readers can check forecasts for their own town or postcode through Netweather’s “Will it thunder” tool.

The Old York Tea Room in Goodramgate, York, is expanding after becoming so popular that it operates at full capacity with queues throughout the day. Owners Tony and Thomas Vickers have secured a lease on a York Minster-owned property at 38 High Petergate, where they plan to open a takeaway cake shop in October, with a possible third location also being considered. The expansion is intended to separate takeaway customers from those waiting to dine in. Around 60% of visitors are tourists, attracted by the tea room’s traditional afternoon tea, historic timber-framed building and connection to Anne Lister. The cafe temporarily closed for three days during a heatwave because its 1316 building lacks air conditioning, particularly affecting the hot kitchen, but reopened and added normally closed Monday and Tuesday trading days to recover lost revenue.

Andrew Fowler, 62, of George Street, Barnsley, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody after a man was found dead at a property in Worsbrough Bridge. South Yorkshire Police launched an investigation following reports of a missing man from Sheffield, established three crime scenes, and appealed for information. Fowler is due to appear at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court, while a standard self-referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the man had previously been reported missing.

Andrew Fowler, 62, of George Street, Barnsley, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody following the discovery of a man’s body at a property in Worsbrough Bridge. The victim was found after police received a missing-person report concerning a 62-year-old man from Sheffield. South Yorkshire Police have established three crime scenes, launched a major-crime investigation and appealed for information. Fowler is due to appear at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court, while a self-referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the man had previously been reported missing.

Northern is reducing services on several routes across Yorkshire and northern England on Thursday, August 13, 2026, because of forecast extreme heat, with the most significant disruptions affecting routes through Leeds, Sheffield, York, Hull and Manchester. Some services will operate on reduced timetables, while engineering work will also suspend trains between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale. Passengers affected by cancelled services may use their tickets on specified alternative operators, including TransPennine Express, and may be eligible for delay compensation.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on 12 August 2026, with up to 90% of the Sun covered in parts of the country, making it the deepest UK eclipse since 1999. The best views are expected in south-western and western Britain, with Yorkshire locations including Sheffield, Buckden Pike and Tan Hill Inn also offering good vantage points. In Sheffield, the main viewing period is expected to run from 6:13pm to 8:03pm, while the eclipse in London is forecast to begin at 6:17pm and peak at 7:12pm. Viewers should use certified ISO 12312-2:2015(E) eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods, as ordinary sunglasses do not protect against retinal damage.

Scarborough’s visitor appeal is linked not only to its coastline and castle but also to local myths and legends. Local guide and broadcaster Paddy Billington describes stories of medieval smuggling tunnels and secret doors, a ghostly procession at St Mary’s Church, the buried spectre of a woman on Merchants Row, and the headless ghost of Piers Gaveston at Scarborough Castle. Other attractions include Harry Bob’s Cave, the Grey Lady, witch bottles and the medieval street known as the Bolts, which Billington highlights on walking tours.