THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Tuesday, March 17, 2026

📍 Greg James pedals into Heslington today, York researchers fly the flag at Parliament, the Knights lose their captain to injury, and the city goes green tonight.

Good morning, York! 🏰 Happy St Patrick's Day. It's a properly eventful Tuesday — Radio 1's Greg James arrives at the University of York this afternoon on his epic tandem ride for Comic Relief, three of our researchers are presenting live at Westminster, and the city will be raising a glass of Guinness by sundown. There's a lot on — let's get you up to speed.

📰News

🚴 Greg James Arrives in York Today on His 1,000km Comic Relief Tandem Ride — Today's the day. Radio 1 Breakfast presenter Greg James reaches York on day five of his gruelling 1,000km tandem cycle across the UK, arriving at the University of York's Heslington campus this afternoon. He set off from Weymouth on Friday 13 March on his bike — nicknamed "Tando Norris" after F1 champion Lando Norris — and today's leg runs from Worksop through Great Heck, Selby, Bubwith, Elvington and into Heslington. It's his first return to the university since receiving an honorary degree last August. Tomorrow he continues north through the city via Wigginton Road, heading toward Helmsley and into the North York Moors. The ride finishes in Edinburgh on Friday, Red Nose Day itself. To donate, text 10, 20 or 30 to 70011 or visit comicrelief.com. (Sources: YorkMix | Comic Relief)

🎓 Three University of York Researchers Present at Parliament Today — York is flying the flag at Westminster right now. Three University of York researchers are presenting at STEM for Britain — the prestigious annual competition at the Houses of Parliament. In biosciences, PhD student Jadie Acklam presents work on inflammation and bacterial infections, and associate lecturer Rasha Rezk on genome editing for treating conditions. In chemistry, PhD student Alice Martin showcases her research using robotics and electrochemistry to recover toxic metals from waste streams for pharmaceutical use. Sam Carling MP said: "These early career scientists, engineers and mathematicians are the architects of our future." Three York researchers at Parliament on one day. Brilliant. (Sources: Gazette & Herald | STEM for Britain)

🏫 YorkMix Playground Play-offs — Schools Invited to Compete — YorkMix has teamed up with PE Pro to launch the Playground Play-offs — a sporting challenge open to 12 York primary schools. Teams will compete across a range of events, while also training up a student media team and sports leaders to cover the action. The top prize is a full year's PE Pro app membership for the winning school. A great initiative for getting York's pupils active this term. (Source: YorkMix)

⚖️ North Yorkshire Council Votes Today on Major Property Reshuffle — A significant decision is being made today. North Yorkshire Council's executive committee meets this Tuesday to vote on the proposed acquisition of Resolution House — a move that could see the authority vacate its historic home at Scarborough Town Hall. Some local councillors have raised concerns about losing the Town Hall. The outcome will shape the council's property strategy across the region for years to come. (Source: This is the Coast)

🌊 River Ouse Flood Alert — Check Live Levels — Following the Environment Agency flood alert issued over the weekend, the Ouse has been falling back toward its normal range. The alert for low-lying land around Queen's Staith and South Esplanade may still be in place — check the live river level at the Viking Recorder gauge for the current reading before heading to riverside areas. (Source: Environment Agency)

🎭 What's On

☘️ St Patrick's Day Tonight — Where to Go in York — The city goes green this evening. York's biggest St Patrick's Day party — YORK PADDY'S FEST 2026 — kicks off from 10.30pm at Salvation. The Official St Patrick's Day Bar Crawl starts earlier at 6.30pm from CIRCUIT York, snaking through the city's best bars. If you prefer something lower-key, most of York's pubs will have the craic on regardless. Drink responsibly and enjoy one of the city's favourite nights of the year. ☘️

🪟 WWI Memorial Window Rededication — This Saturday at St Lawrence Church — A genuinely moving occasion to put in the diary. St Lawrence Parish Church on Lawrence Street holds a service of Choral Matins at 11am this Saturday 21 March, marking the rededication of its First World War Memorial Window — conserved by Dunnington's Barley Studio at a cost of around £80,000. The Lord Mayor, York Guard and D-Day veteran Ken Cooke will all attend. Free entry. (Source: Gazette & Herald)

🍽️ York Restaurant Week — Five Days Left — A quick reminder: York Restaurant Week runs until Sunday 22 March only. Over 100 venues are offering deals between £5 and £30, including newcomers Drift-In, Howl, Love Cheese and 200 Degrees Coffee. Free vouchers, no limit. Visit the York Restaurant Week website to claim yours before it's too late. (Source: York BID)

🏃 Sport

🏉 Blow for York Knights as Captain Harris Confirmed Out for "Prolonged Period" — Tough news from Applegarth's weekly press conference. York Knights captain and half-back Liam Harris has been confirmed out for a "prolonged period" after scan results revealed a hamstring tear, sustained during Saturday's Challenge Cup win over Keighley Cougars. The skipper had scored twice and been named Man of the Match before feeling the injury late in the game. Harris joins veteran Jordan Thompson — also sidelined with a serious arm injury — on the sidelines. Coach Mark Applegarth said: "I'm gutted for him on a personal level, because I know how hard he's been working, but it's a great opportunity for someone else." Danny Richardson is expected to step up at scrum-half as the Knights travel to Wigan Warriors on Thursday. On a brighter note, winger Sam Wood — sent to hospital after an accidental eye poke in the same Cup tie — has been given the all-clear and is available for selection. (Source: Serious About Rugby League)

⚽ York City Flying High — Minstermen in Fine Form Ahead of Home Fixture — York City sit in strong shape in the National League heading into the business end of the season, following Saturday's 3-0 win over Aldershot Town at the EBB Stadium — the result that also completed the fastest century of goals in National League history. The Minstermen have Brackley Town at home this Saturday 21 March (3pm), before a tricky away trip to Gateshead on Tuesday 24 March. With promotion firmly in their sights, there's never been a better time to get down to the LNER Community Stadium and get behind the team. (Source: York City FC)

📢 National — Affects York Readers

⚠️ Meningitis Outbreak in Kent — Know the Symptoms — Worth staying aware of. A meningitis outbreak in Canterbury has caused 2 deaths and 13 confirmed cases since 13 March. No elevated risk in York has been confirmed, but with York's large student population, awareness matters. Key symptoms: sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, rash that doesn't fade when pressed with a glass. If concerned, contact your GP or call NHS 111 immediately. (Source: UKHSA / Gov.uk)

🐕 New Dog Walking Law Comes Into Force Tomorrow — Unlimited Fines Warning — York dog owners who walk in the countryside need to know about this. A new law — the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 — comes into force tomorrow, Wednesday 18 March, updating rules that have been unchanged since 1953. The key change: fines for allowing a dog to worry or attack livestock rise from a maximum of £1,000 to unlimited. Police also gain new powers to seize and detain dogs where they believe there is a risk of a repeat incident. Crucially, a dog does not need to make physical contact with animals to commit an offence — chasing or disturbing livestock is enough. The law covers roads and footpaths crossing farmland, meaning it applies to popular walking routes across North Yorkshire. The government says: "This is not about restricting dog walking — it is about keeping livestock safe." (Sources: Yorkshire Live | Gov.uk)