Fans of the spooky, gothic and supernatural can explore the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey after dark later this month.
As in previous years, Whitby Abbey will once again be illuminated during Halloween week, from October 23 to 31.
Visitors will also be able to visit Whitby Abbey after hours and see what inspired one of the world’s most famous Gothic novels, Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
New for this year’s event are the re-enactment group, Rusticus, who’ll be performing interactive performances against the spectacular backdrop of the abbey ruins in light.
Whitby Abbey will be illuminated over Halloween. Picture Scott Merrylees
Sarah Douglas, of English Heritage, said: “Having the abbey illuminated gives visitors a wonderful opportunity to experience this historic site after dark, while discovering more about the fascinating history that helped inspire the legend of Dracula.
“We’re inviting everyone to wrap up warm, bring a torch, join us for a delicious hot chocolate, and enjoy the unique experience of seeing history brought to life.”
During the day, families can take part in the Great Pumpkin Party, with spooky storytelling, games, a themed trail, seasonal selfie spot and a fancy dress competition.
As tickets go on sale today for the return of Whitby Lit Fest, the event has announced it has added the acclaimed actor, Hugh Bonneville, to its line-up.
Having played the role of Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey and Mr Brown in Paddington, Hugh Bonneville joins the festival as a headline guest thanks to his other role as a bestselling children’s author.
Bonneville will take to the stage on the Saturday of Whitby Lit Fest – which runs from Thursday November 19 to Sunday November 22 at venues across Whitby – for a special family event.
Packed with storytelling, spies, secret codes and some extremely suspicious cups of tea, he will introduce his latest book, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea.
His latest adventure follows unlikely young hero Rory Sparkes, who discovers a series of secret coded messages hidden inside a neighbour’s recipe book and becomes convinced a mysterious family is involved in a covert conspiracy.
Actor Hugh Bonneville joins the line-up for Whitby Lit Fest taking place in November. Picture: Submitted
Things become stranger still when Rory’s mum, teachers and seemingly every adult around him develop an obsession with a particularly unpleasant new brand of tea. Could Rory finally have uncovered a genuine spy plot?
The book is aimed at readers aged seven to 11 and Bonneville will talk about creating Rory’s world, bring the story to life and take questions from young audience members and their families.
His addition provides another major name in an already packed Whitby Lit Fest programme spanning crime, fiction, history, poetry, politics, food, film, children’s literature and the stories of the Yorkshire coast.
Among this year’s headline guests are John Boyne, author of the international phenomenon The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas with his new novel, The Weight of Angels; Number One Sunday Times bestseller Ann Cleeves, marking 40 years in print and the publication of her 40th novel; Chocolat author Joanne Harris; Hairy Biker Si King; bestselling crime writers Elly Griffiths and Mark Billingham, and internationally acclaimed actor Greta Scacchi.
Dominic Gregory will be interviewed by The Anchor’s Emma Ryan and Ceri Oakes about Lifeboat at the End of the World, his memoir as a volunteer for the RNLI. Picture: Submitted
The festival will also welcome Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae for a special family event celebrating her picture book Put Your Records On, inspired by her much-loved hit song.
Other guests across the four days include Peter Oborne, Channel 4’s Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson, Louise Minchin, Lucinda Hawksley, Sally Coulthard, Jess Kidd, Laura Purcell, Andrew Lownie, Alistair Moffat, Sian Williams, Nicky Hambleton-Jones, Zaffar Kunial and many more.
Lois Kirtlan, chair of Whitby Lit Fest, said: “We were already incredibly proud of the programme we had assembled for Whitby this November, so to be able to announce Hugh Bonneville as a surprise addition just as tickets go on sale is fantastic.
“Hugh is loved by audiences of all ages, from Downton Abbey to Paddington, and we think families are going to have enormous fun discovering another side to him as the creator of Rory Sparkes.
“The whole programme reflects what we want Whitby Lit Fest to be – big-name writers alongside exciting new voices, events inspired by Whitby and the Yorkshire coast, and everything from crime and history to politics, poetry, food, film and children’s books.
“We would encourage people to take a look at the full programme and book early, particularly for some of our headline events and smaller-capacity venues.”
Events will take place at venues across the town, including Whitby Pavilion, Eighteen91, Flowergate Hall, Whitby Museum, Whitby Library, the Coliseum and the Jet Black Jewel.
Whitby Lit Fest opens on Thursday 19 November, with bestselling author Jess Kidd launching proceedings with a suitably seaside-themed mystery, before four days of conversations, performances, workshops, family events and literary encounters.
Hugh Bonneville is at Whitby Pavilion (Northern Lights Suite) on Saturday November 21, 1pm. Tickets £11 (adults) and £5 (children).
Makers from the town gathered to kick off what is hopefully going to be a sunny season with the summer Made in Whitby festival.
Yesterday saw the town’s creatives show off their wares up at Whitby Brewery and they will be back today with live music, demonstrations and plenty of local food and drink to try.
Made in Whitby was created to champion the town’s independent businesses and makers showing off a wide variety of produce from beer, gin, crafts, artisan food and gifts.
Made in Whitby continues today (Friday) at Whitby Brewery.
Anthony Greensmith serving up tasters of Whitby Gin to festival goers. Picture: Ceri OakesDarren ‘Archie’ Archibald with his Whitby Sea Salt stall at the Made in Whitby Summer Festival. Picture: Ceri OakesCrowds enjoyed the atmosphere and sunshine in the shadow of the Abbey at the Made in Whitby Summer Festival. Picture: Ceri OakesPotter Amy Smith and jewellery maker Eve Monk both have beautiful stalls at the event with their hand made work. Picture: Ceri OakesLive music adding atmosphere to the bustling event. Picture: Ceri OakesDeb Gilanders knits a gansey at the festival on her traditional ‘Propagansey’ stall. Picture: Ceri OakesAmy Smith, The Little Whitby Potter demonstrates the potters wheel Richard Wells. Picture: Ceri OakesA great start to the Made in Whitby Summer festival. Picture: Ceri OakesLocal blacksmith Katie Ventress has handmade goods for sale and is working on the forge at the event. Picture: Ceri OakesCrowds enjoy the varied stalls at the Made in Whitby Summer festival. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Lacey Brown works from her garden studio and workshop in Whitby, she enjoys creating art from natural materials such as wool and wood and also creates pet portraits. Picture: Ceri Oakes
North Yorkshire Open Studios is an annual event, held across two weekends in June, with 18 artists based in Whitby, along the coast and in the country villages taking part.
Amy Smith ‘The Little Whitby Potter’ is a potter sharing an open studio in Whitby with Lacey Brown Picture: Ceri Oakes
Genres range from ceramics, to painting, print-making, glass, jewellery and sculpture.
NYOS has been taking place since 2005 and has become a favourite on the calendar for the region’s art fans as it offers a behind the scenes look and a chance to chat directly to artists about their work.
It continues this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 5pm.
Kit Helmsley is a ceramicist living in Runswick Bay taking part in the North Yorkshire Open Studios. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Artists from Whitby and the surrounding areas taking part are: Ceramicists, Aphra O’Connor and Numi Solomons of Sleights; Kit Hemsley, ceramicist at Runswick Bay; Ian Burke, painter and printmaker at Lealholm; Magick & Wilds textiles and mixed media, Hutton Mulgrave; Emma Evett, glassworker from Newholm; Amy Smith, ceramicist in Whitby; Textile artist, Lacey Brown of Whitby; Louise Garrett, painter, Goathland; Grosmont based painter and printmaker, Maria Bennett; Paintings and drawings by Anne Thornhill at Aislaby; Paul Blackwell, painter at Aislaby; Stained glass artist, Janet Fraser of Sleights; Ailsa Nicholson, fused glass work at Sleights; Jean Cunion, Ugglebarnby ceramicist; Art by Ester, a Sneaton based painter; Sue Wilmington, applied art and design, near Sneaton; Anj Bone, painter at Stainsacre.
Janet Fraser lives in Sleights. She loves creating modern bespoke windows and designing garden pieces. She runs workshops from her garden studio. Picture: Ceri OakesKit Helmsley creates work deeply rooted in the coastline’s timeless beauty and its ever-changing forms. Picture: Ceri OakesAmy Smith ‘The Little Whitby Potter’ is a potter inspired by the Whitby coastline and moorland. Picture: Ceri OakesAphra O’Connor at her garden studio in Sleights. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Young detectives, community nature, running, food and scarecrows are some of the activities lined up this weekend and over half term in Whitby.
A top secret mission awaits young detectives at Whitby Abbey with visitors being asked to step into the role of spy.
Time is of the essence to locate the top secret missing message in an immersive, story-driven experience which challenges them to follow clues, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden messages before they fall into the wrong hands. Participants will track down clues across the site, decipher codes, and piece together the mystery in a race against time.
As part of this year’s Mini Art Festival, a new community nature site at Castleton is being celebrated with a mix of folklore and creative activities tomorrow, 2pm to 4.30pm. Being hosted by The Community Earth Project and 3-Minute Arts at Bow Bridge Community Meadows, visitors can enjoy maypole dancing, storytelling, craft workshops and hands-on nature activities throughout the afternoon.
The Mini Arts Festival is taking place in Glaisdale and beyond between 23-31 May. full programme here. Picture: Submitted
Highlights include making fairy boats with poetry sails, creating woodland crowns, contributing to a collective poem, and building percussion instruments from natural materials. A light-hearted rhubarb competition will also be judged by the event’s resident ‘Green Man’.
Guided tours of the site will introduce plans for the meadow’s future, including a community orchard and wildflower areas, alongside insights into local history. The event culminates in a colourful folklore procession along the river, followed by a lively Green Man and May Queen pageant, complete with music, Maypole dancing and the announcement of the rhubarb competition winners.
For those wanting something more active, the Cinder Track Park Run takes place at 9am tomorrow, and also on May 30, from the playing fields at Whitby School’s Airy Hill site. There are also kids surf clubs on Tuesday and Friday.
Back indoors, there is chance to be a mini archivist or librarian at Whitby Museum on Thursday with several sessions throughout the day. The Archive Development Officer will give an interactive guide on using the family activities in the ‘Fantastic Archives and Where to Find Them’ exhibition followed by a visit to the real archive room in the museum library.
The following day, on Friday, there will be a screening of ‘Harbouring Voices‘, an oral history of Whitby’s fishing community also at the Museum.
On Sunday May 31, a family friendly fun day with stalls, bouncy castles and rides takes place at the Rugby Club.
Food and fishing are going hand in hand this weekend as the hugely popular Fish and Ships Festival takes place.
The celebration of Whitby’s fishing heritage has taken over the Marina front car park.
Today’s line up (Saturday) saw cooking demonstrations; the traditional art of fixing nets; tours of Whitby’s Shannon class All-Weather lifeboat, Lois Ivan; the fisherman’s Olympics, a challenge showcasing strength and skills; a tug o’ war and lobster releases.
Louise Boocook from Sandgate Seafoods and consultant chef Rob Green in the demonstration tent at Fish and Ships Festival. Saturday 16 May. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Local chefs, including seafood specialist Rob Green, have been showcasing their food prep skills and will be back tomorrow (Sunday).
Look out for shellfish preparation with Stephen Boocock from Sandgate Seafoods and LW Shellfish as well as Natasha Roe from Cod Roe Fishmongers.
Bidi Iredale played the part of a Whitby fisherlass at Whitby Fish and Ships Festival. Saturday 16 May. Picture: Ceri Oakes
The Magpie’s Paul Gildroy will be joined by Andrew Barker, a freelance fishmonger and master fish craftsman for a cooking demonstration.
There will be further demonstrations later tomorrow afternoon from Maggie Lubaszewska from Tide By Trenchers and Ben Laws from Java Café.
Providing the music will be Fylingdales Folk Choir, Low Tides and Saltburn Smugglers.
Howlin Johnny and the Devils Rejects perform at Whitby Fish and Ships Festival. Saturday 16 May. Picture: Ceri OakesAction from the Tug o’ War at the Fish and Ships Festival. Saturday 16 May. Picture: Ceri OakesMayor of Whitby, Sandra Turner cheers on the competitors in the Tug o’ War at Whitby Fish and Ships. Saturday 16 May. Picture: Ceri OakesCheers for the Tug o’ War competitors at Fish and Ships. Saturday 16 May. Picture: Ceri OakesWhitby potters took home the trophy in the Tug o’ War at the Fish and Ships Festival. Saturday 16 May. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Whitby has many weird and wonderful traditions but the annual planting of the penny hedge is one so old, no-one in living memory could attest to it being fact or fable.
However, as Lol Hodgson, who has been overseeing the ceremony for more than 25 years once said, “the whole country is built on legend, how can anybody argue”.
At the time he also said that with life as it is at present, “we have to have some light-hearted moments”. Few would argue with that either.
When Mr Hodgson took the job as the Bailiff of the Manor of Fyling Court Leet, which involves responsibilities for managing common land, it was also required that he perform this 900-year-old tradition.
The legendary story goes that three local hunters were pursuing a wild boar which sought refuge in a hermitage at Eskdaleside.
When the hermit, or monk, closed the door and refused to let the hounds or hunters in, they attacked him, causing fatal wounds.
As he was dying, rather than call for punishment, the hermit ordered them to carry out a lifelong penance, which their descendants must carry out, or lose their lands.
The penance was that on the eve of Ascension, a hedge – constructed from stakes woven together having been cut by a penny knife (hence the name penny hedge) – should be planted on the east side of the bank of the River Esk.
It had to withstand three tides and if it didn’t, it was feared the town of Whitby would suffer, or that the descendants of the murderers would lose their land.
And ever since, the ceremony has been carried out followed by the blowing of a cow horn and three cries of ‘Out on Ye’.
Crowds turn out to watch the ceremony on Church Street and, over recent years, it has attracted visitors from around the country and abroad.
This year, the planting of the penny hedge will be on Wednesday May 13 at around 8.40am.
Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter making Ascension Eve fall on the Wednesday prior.
Whitby Regatta is looking for ambassadors be the face of the event and promote the three day spectacle to locals and visitors.
New for this year is the Regatta Ambassador programme which will see volunteers act as the face of the event, have a public facing role and meet people.
The committee says the role is “perfect for people who are proud of Whitby and its traditions”.
There are also volunteer leader roles for people who can help supervise the ambassadors and act as an important link between the volunteers and regatta HQ.
A Whitby Regatta spokesperson said: “Whether it’s a couple of hours, a full day, or the duration of the event, we would love to hear from you.”
Plans for this year’s Regatta, thought to be the oldest sea regatta along the North East coast, are well underway.
The Whitby Regatta Sea Swim is already fully booked and further details will be coming soon on the Sunday fun run, the paddleboarding event and the park run as well as motorbike and classic car displays.
A crowd pleaser from previous regattas, the greasy pole, will make a much anticipated return at this year’s event too, which takes place from Saturday August 8 to Monday August 10.
Then there is, of course the fierce competition on the water between The Friendship, Fishermen’s and Scarborough rowing clubs throughout the weekend.
It costs between £25,000 and £30,000 to stage Whitby Regatta each year, made possible through the generosity of local individuals and businesses, as well as people who visit the town especially for the event.
A new Crowdfunder has been set up to help boost Regatta funds which you can support here and tickets have now gone on sale for the first ever regatta Gala Dinner at The Royal Hotel on Saturday, July 25.
Whitby’s fishing history and heritage will be celebrated next month when the Fish and Ships Festival returns to town.
There will be cookery, music, entertainment, stalls from local businesses and family activities on the Marina car park across the weekend of May 16 and 17.
A favourite will be the cookery marquee, sponsored by The Magpie, where there will be filleting and cooking demonstrations from local chefs going head to head against each other.
Local fishermen will also demonstrate the art of pot sewing and net mending, which is rarely seen but a key part of day to day life in today’s fishing industry.
Another tradition which has become a highlight of the weekend is the fishermen tug-o-war which rounds off the day on the Saturday.
