Malton's locally-renowned foodie Christmas market, complete with fairground rides, mulled wines and even a visit from Santa Claus himself, is returning after two years of absence next weekend.
On Saturday 4 December and Sunday 5 December, Malton's picture-perfect Market Place will be transformed into a Christmas paradise and is set to be one of the biggest markets of the year.
The free-to-enter market will be full of festive treats for all the family to enjoy at Yorkshire's locally-famous capital of all things edible.
Think figgy pudding, juicy goose servings and good ol' turkey dinner: this early Christmas dinner will be worth eating a few weekends before the official 25th date.
Whether you're looking for simple and traditional classics like cheese and biscuits or want to start a new Christmas trend, you're guaranteed to find exactly the food your stomach needs here.
Anyway, there will be so many festive activities to get involved in, you're sure to work up an appetite.
From becoming the brass band's latest groupie to greeting the jolly man in red himself at Santa's Grotto, all ages are catered for.
There will even be a land train for children to ride on around the Market, as well as a host of old-school fairground rides, inspired by traditional Victorian rides but with all the health and safety of a contemporary ride.
Once you're dizzy from hurtling about the fair, grab all your gifts for the 25th and shop whilst supporting small independent businesses based in West Yorkshire.
If that isn't enough to tempt you, mulled wine, gin, a range of beers and plenty of tipples will all be available at different stalls across the market and ready for you to grab a glass whenever you like.
The Christmas Markets in Malton are known as one of the stand-out events of the year at Yorkshire's foodie capital. / Image: Event Owl
After a busy day of visiting Santa, whizzing around the fridesand stocking up on presents, unwind with a glass in hand and watch live music from the local brass band and choirs.
The weekend event will run from 9am on Saturday 4 December until Sunday 5 December at 3pm.
The 2019 event was attended by around 20,000 people but due to Covid-related-restrictions, the Malton Christmas Markets did not go ahead in 2020.
Traders interested in attending the event can still apply to host a stall until Tuesday 2 November via the Event Owl website.
If you’ve been wondering why you’re seeing a lot of free pizza lately, we’re here to explain the current Franco Manca pizza ‘run trend’.
And yes, we were the foolish ones enough to have not quizzed any of our jogging chums until now, meaning we’ve missed out on more money and free pizza. Sigh.
Nevermind, though, because at least we spotted it before the end of the month (this being Franco Manca’s main January deal), and we dare say that now you’ve heard about it, you’ll see plenty others popping up on social media with their free slices.
That’s right, it may be a very thin slice with a very long and thin slice, but that is as much of a pizza slice outline as we needed to qualify for the current deal.
Yes, we’re aware that the actual pepperonis on ours are more square than most – listen, we did our best, and we’ve certainly seen people pulling off better overall shaped pizzas than us; that’s part of the fun/and or challenge.
For instance, we didn’t mean for our picture to come out with one long crust running down either…
So, how does it work, you ask? Well, it’s quite simple, to be fair. All you have to do is run a pizza-shaped route (any pizza shape works, by the way), map your route on the likes of Strava or Apple Fitness, etc., then show your creation at your nearest and claim a quid off for every kilometre you run.
As advertised on the ‘Map My Pizza Run’ page on their website, the aim isn’t about putting pressure or hitting a strict target; you simply get rewarded the longer you go.
Here’s a handy example from a local running content creator for you:
There are some stipulations, such as not being used in conjunction with any other offer, one pizza map being valid per person, and the route has to have been run in January. You can find the full terms and conditions HERE.
Oh, and technically, you can do it however you like: run, walk, cycle – you name it. Other than that, we’ve pretty much given you all the info you need to know, so go and get yourself some free pizza.
UK punk icons The Stranglers announced as latest headliner of outdoor concert series
Clementine Hall
The Stranglers have been announced as the third headliner of 'Live At Tileyard North'.
The new two-week series of outdoor live music will take place in central Wakefield, with The Stranglers taking to the stage on Friday 21 August at the historic courtyard of Rutland Mills.
Formed back in 1974, The Stranglers quickly made a name for themselves by embracing the punk movement of the late 70s.
Their first three albums (Rattus Norvegicus, No More Heroes and Black and White) were released within just 13 months of each other, scoring hit singles with ‘Peaches’, ‘No More Heroes’ and ‘Walk On By’.
Image: Supplied
In 2024 The Stranglers’ 50th anniversary year featured celebratory sell-out tours across the world and headline slots at festivals worldwide, including a sell-out performance at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
The Stranglers will be joined by a full supporting line-up including fellow punk legends Buzzcocks as well as alternative-indie quintet FEET and buzzy Irish garage rock trio Adore.
Previously announced Live at Tileyard North headliners include the Vaccines, who will be in Wakefield performing their critically acclaimed 2011 debut album What Did You Expect From the Vaccines? in full to celebrate 15 years since its release on Sunday 30 August, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor who will headline the outdoor venue on Thursday 27 August.
It's safe to say it will be a very fun two weeks indeed, now we just need to wait until summer arrives.
Postcode pre-sale for residents local to Tileyard North (WF1, WF2, WF3, WF4, WF5, WF6) will open at 10am on Wednesday 21 January here with general sale opening at 10am on Friday 23 January here.
Sophie Smith -
29th October 2021 
