Heatwave ‘can’t stop’ dancing York Big Issue vendor

“The heatwave can’t stop me from dancing. I keep smiling for the people in York,” said Vasile Calin, speaking at his pitch outside Marks and Spencer in Parliament Street on Sunday (May 24).

“Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m tired – but I still keep smiling.”

Vasile said he will be back at his pitch on Monday, when the Met Office has forecast highs of 31C for York. “I keep dancing 10 hours a day,” he said. “I work every day.”

Over in King’s Staith, the Royal Ices ice cream van has been enjoying bumper trade throughout the weekend thanks to the highs of 25C.  

Taha Vulfigar said he served ice cream from the van all afternoon on Saturday, when there were “really long queues” along the riverside.  

“It was really busy,” he said. I was serving ice cream from 12pm to 6pm – six hours straight. It was really good.”

He expected Sunday and Monday to be as busy. “Tomorrow [Monday] is going to extraordinary hot – it’s going to be really busy,” Taha said.

Taha Vulfigar manning the Royal Ices ice cream van in King’s Staith, York, on Sunday (May 24) (Image: Dylan Connell)

One of the first customers of the day at the Royal Ices ice cream van in King’s Staith, York, on Sunday (May 24) (Image: Dylan Connell)

A yellow heat alert is in place for York until 5pm on Wednesday.

The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), means there could be a significant impact across health and social care services, including the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

York is due to see its warmed day of the year so far on Monday, with other areas of the UK recording record-breaking weather temperatures.

The UK saw the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday when the village of Frittenden, in Kent, hit 30.5C.

Temperatures could peak at 33C and 34C in the south east of England on Monday, making it the hottest May day in the England, which currently sits at 33.3C.

Allegra Burridge and Abi Beerling enjoy the sun in Museum Gardens, York, on Sunday (May 24) (Image: Dylan Connell)

Shoppers enjoy the sun in Coney Street, York, on Sunday (May 24) (Image: Dylan Connell)

The Met Office defines a heatwave as at least three consecutive days with a daily maximum temperature exceeding a county-specific threshold.

In York, 25C is the county-specific threshold – meaning the area could experience a heatwave if temperatures exceed 25C on Sunday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA is urging pet owners to watch their animals for signs of overheating, and not to leave animals in hot cars.

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RSPCA pet welfare expert Lauren Bennett said taking dogs out for walks when it is too hot for them could put them at risk of heat stroke or exhaustion.

“It’s really important to take extra special care of animals during this extremely hot weather,” she said.

“Kind acts for your pets, however small, combine to create a more compassionate world for all animals – and every kind act for animals is a vote for a better world for them. Small, everyday gestures like popping some ice cubes into your pet’s water or putting some sun cream on their nose all add up to make a real difference for animals.

“Bouts of intense heat can be such a stressful time for pet owners – but the best way to protect our pets is by equipping ourselves with the right knowledge and latest science-backed research, to give us the most effective way to ensure we can all be safe during those scorching summer days.”