But one attraction in the city saw its visitor numbers rise by over a quarter.

For months, there was little or no rain in York and North Yorkshire last Spring and Summer.

The continuous sun was welcomed by visitors at Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate where visitors were up to 8 per cent to 527,724; Dalby Forest, also up 8 per cent to 440,298, and Fountains Abbey, up 4 per cent to 436,630, according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA).

In York, Cliffords Tower saw a drop of 7 per cent to 150,673, the National Railway Museum saw a drop of 5 per cent to 656,205 and York Minster 4 per cent to 437,204.

Jorvik Viking Centre is not included in the figures, which only features attractions run by ALVA members.

Figures for York Museums Trust were mixed. Yorkshire Museum saw the biggest rise in the city of 29 per cent to 79,260, thanks to a major exhibition. The Trust’s most popular attraction, Castle Museum, saw its numbers rise by 5 per cent to 221,170. But York Art Gallery had a drop of 53 per cent to 52,560.

All figures are compared to the visitor numbers in 2024.

It comes after the demolition of the former Stanley Board School on the town’s Front Street, with many in the area urging that the cleared site be put to use for young people.

The former school, derelict for more than a decade, was demolished in January due to “substantial structural defects” that made the building financially impossible to save.

Karbon Homes, which owns the Front Street site, has said it wants the land to “benefit the community” while long-term plans for redevelopment are explored, including a forthcoming consultation.

Now residents have had their say on what they want to see from the site, including Pamela Halliday, 49, from Stanley who said the site should be: “Anything but a HMO.”

“It could be something for kids to stop the anti-social behaviour in the bus station,” she added.

Forty-nine-year-old Pamela Halliday said it should be ‘anything but a HMO.’ (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Brian Hutchinson, 70, said: “They need to make it something for the young people to stop them rampaging around town.

“A community centre would be good.”

Karbon Homes, which took the decision to demolish the site, said: “The investment required to retain it was financially unviable for us to undertake.”

Others welcomed the tidier appearance of the street since demolition, though some lamented the loss of the historic building.

The site has been levelled. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

One unnamed resident said: “It’s definitely better than it used to be, that’s for sure.”

Another described it as a missed heritage opportunity, adding: “They shouldn’t have torn it down.

“When it started to get bad, they should have taken it to Beamish and restored it.”

Robert Scott, 72, said: “Anything is better than what it is at the moment.

“It would be a good site for a Tesco, we don’t have one of those in the town.

“But if not, instead of it being rubble for the next 10 years it would make a nice little park.”

Lily Beckwith, 70, has lived in Stanley all her life. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Long-term resident Lily Beckwith, 70, said: “It would be nice to have a play area for the young children and something for the whole community to be able to use.

“I remember when it used to be a bustling high street. We need that community spirit back.”

Karbon Homes said it is working with partners and the public on the site’s future.

The company said: “We will be exploring these ideas and will continue to engage with our community partners, as well as Stanley Town Council, Durham County Council and the North East Combined Authority.”

Karbon has also increased security at the site with CCTV and weekly inspections to prevent anti-social behaviour.

Previously, Graham Wood, economic development manager at Durham County Council, said of the site: “Its demolition is an opportunity to breathe fresh life into a prominent town centre location and, while we have not owned the building for many years, we have been working with its owner, Karbon Homes, as it explores future options for the site.

“We are committed to revitalising town centres across the county and are currently creating a new Strategic Place Plan for Stanley. This follows a series of engagement events last year in which we asked residents and businesses to share their ambitions for the town.

“Securing new uses for vacant sites in the town centre is a key priority and the redevelopment of Stanley Board School supports this goal.”

The Full-Day Heartbeat Locations Tour from York takes visitors into the North York Moors and along the coast to Whitby, following in the footsteps of the ITV drama that ran for 18 series.

The experience currently holds a 4.4-star rating on TripAdvisor, with reviewers highlighting its appeal for fans keen to see familiar locations brought to life.

Goathland (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The seven-hour tour includes stops in Goathland, known to viewers as the fictional village of Aidensfield, as well as Whitby and surrounding moorland scenery.

For many, the chance to visit Goathland is the standout moment, with the village’s streets, railway station and surrounding countryside all heavily featured in the series.

One visitor described the trip as “a must-do for all fans of the Heartbeat TV show”, adding: “Fabulous day out, got some great pictures of the show locations.”

Another reviewer said they were “very satisfied” with the experience, praising a guide who shared “lots of interesting facts and information about the filming of the series and the sites”.

Guides and drivers are a consistent theme in feedback, with several reviews highlighting their knowledge and professionalism.

One visitor said the guide was “friendly and knowledgeable”, while also praising the driver for navigating “difficult, narrow roads” across the moors.

Another described the tour as “excellent for a fan”, noting there was a “good time at each stop” and plenty of insight into the locations visited.

The scenery also plays a major role in the experience, with the North York Moors providing a dramatic backdrop that extends beyond the show itself.

Visitors are taken through rural villages and open countryside, offering a broader look at the landscape that helped define the series.

However, some reviewers noted that time at key locations can feel limited.

One visitor said that around an hour in Goathland “was too short”, while others suggested they would have liked more flexibility or additional time to explore filming spots in more detail.

Despite this, the overall reviews remain positive, particularly among dedicated fans of the programme.

With Heartbeat still holding a loyal following years after it ended, tours continue to offer fans the chance to step into the fictional world of Aidensfield.

As one reviewer summed it up: “A good day out seeing some of the Heartbeat locations, well worth going if you are a fan.”

There’s nothing quite like starting a weekend morning with a fry-up.

But for some reason, a Full English at home never tastes quite as good as the one from your favourite greasy spoon.

Rouz G. Jabibi, who runs More Munchies in Acton Vale, has more than two decades of experience running a cafe and knows all the cooking tricks for creating the ultimate breakfast.

And there are five top tips you need to know, if you want the perfect plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and more.

How to make the perfect scrambled eggs

According to Rouz, the trick to whipping up delicious scrambled eggs has to do with the type of butter you use. 

‘It has to be real butter, and it has to be unsalted,’ he told SumUp, a payment solutions provider for cafes. ‘Salt interferes with the cooking process, so we avoid salted butter entirely.’

The team at More Munchies mixes eggs with full-fat milk, then microwaves them briefly for around a minute and a half, before finishing off in a pan. 

Rouz claims you can use either English or French butter for this, but he adds that the ‘two-stage process is key’.

The sponge method is the secret to tasty bacon

Bacon is a ‘core product’ at More Munchies; as such, Rouz says they take it very seriously.

Their method for cooking involves ‘sponging off’ every rasher to clean the surface of the meat, which sounds odd, but apparently makes a world of difference.

‘Most catering bacon, and some supermarket bacon, is frozen in brine, which is why it holds its shape so neatly. But when you cook it, that salt and water rise to the surface as a white residue. A lot of places ignore it. We don’t,’ explains the West London cafe owner.

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‘We bake the bacon first, then sponge off every rasher individually, essentially cleaning the surface of the meat. Then we leave it to cool completely, which stops the edges curling and keeps each rasher long and flat.’

Someone comes in at 5:30 am each morning specifically to sponge off the bacon, preparing around 10 kilos before the place even opens.

When an order for a Full English comes in, the bacon is fried dry on both sides, as Rouz says no oil is needed as ‘the fat does the work’ to make it extra crispy.

Don’t just use Heinz Baked Beans

Controversially, Rouz isn’t a fan of Heinz beans, claiming they’re ‘watery and expensive’. 

Instead of the classic, they use a mixture of three different tins – Bid Food, Branston and tinned tomato juice to give ‘a bit more depth’.

The ketchup mistake everyone makes

If you’re putting ketchup on your sausages, Rouz says you’re making an error.

‘Brown sauce should go with sausages, because it complements their flavour,’ he says. 

‘Our sausages have cumin and cinnamon; it’s a Cumberland sausage with some extra herbs, so ketchup would overwhelm the flavour. 

‘Brown sauce, being fruitier, complements what’s already in the sausage. Ketchup is more suited to bacon and egg, while brown sauce belongs with hash browns, bubble and squeak, and sausage sandwiches.’

Renee and Andrew MacRae disappeared on November 12, 1976 and their bodies have never been found.

A fresh search for the bodies of Renee MacRae and her toddler Andrew is set to take at the former home of their evil killer William MacDowell.

Police and army experts are set to begin an excavation on land near the property, which spans several acres, 50 years on from their mysterious disappearance. Specialists from the Royal Engineers were drafted in after ‘disturbed ground’ dating back to the time of Renee and three-year-old Andrew’s disappearance was revealed in a historic survey of the site, The Scottish Daily Mail reports.

Forensics have been given the go-ahead to commence with digs around MacDowell’s old property. Renee and Andrew’s relatives have been made aware of the latest developments.

Renee and Andrew disappeared on November 12, 1976. Renee’s BMW car was found ablaze in a lay-by near Dalmagarry Quarry, some 12 miles south of Inverness.

MacDowell, 81, took his secrets of the whereabouts of the mother’s and son’s bodies to his grave after he died in hospital five months after his conviction. He had eluded punishment for 45 years before finally being found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

Police Scotland vowed to continue investigating until their remains have been discovered.

MacDowell, who was known as Bill rather than William, was living near Inverness at the time of the murders and worked as company secretary for a building firm. The company was owned by Renee’s estranged husband, Gordon, and married McDowell was sacked from his role at the company when their affair emerged.

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At the time she vanished, Renee had believed she and McDowell would be meeting up for a weekend away before a planned move to Shetland. The devoted mum, who is survived by her eldest son Gordon, had been deeply in love with MacDowell.

Within a year of the affair starting, she had become pregnant with their child Andrew. MacDowell, a prisoner at HMP Glenochil in Alloa, died at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in February 2023, just one year into his sentence.

In March last year, there was a breakthrough in the case when items – believed to be a potty and a carpet – were found next to the A9.

They were found near to a lay-by close to Dalmagarry Quarry, south of Inverness. Renee’s car had been found on fire in the lay by on November 12, 1976, but there was no sign of her or her son.

Detective Superintendent Brian Geddes said: “Our investigation into the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae remains ongoing and officers continue to examine all available lines of investigation.”

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Igor Tudor’s Tottenham, though, come into the match on an upward trend. They battled to a deserved 1-1 draw at Anfield last weekend, and the Croatian secured the first win of his interim tenure last time out, pipping Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Forest were also in European action midweek, but required extra-time and penalties to knock Midtjylland out of the Europa League last 16.

But here’s the twist: while many will pay more, thousands could cut their bill by hundreds—or wipe it out entirely—if they know where to look.

Next month will see up to 9% increases across parts of England, with seven councils allowed to go above the usual 5% cap.

There’s also up to 10% rises in Scotland, and bills in Wales will see an average rise of 4.9% from April.

For many households, it means one of the biggest annual increases in years.

100,000s people are missing out on the ‘severely mentally impaired’ Council Tax discount.

If you, or someone you live with, has a condition such as Alzheimer’s or severe learning difficulties, then you could save big.

Here’s full step-by-step help ⬇️https://t.co/WvUooRUxd4

— MoneySavingExpert (@MoneySavingExp) September 21, 2025

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Rules that could lower your Council Tax bill

Many people may qualify for the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme without realising it.

If eligible, your home is moved down one council tax band. If you are already in the lowest band, you could get a 17% discount instead.

You may qualify if your home has:

• An extra room or bathroom needed for a disabled person
• Space for wheelchair use

Missing this could mean overpaying year after year.

Some households could pay no council tax at all

There is also a separate discount for households where someone is classed as severely mentally impaired.

This can mean:

• 100% discount if you live alone or with others who qualify
• 50% discount in some cases
• 25% discount if you live with one qualifying person

Conditions can include dementia, Parkinson’s or severe learning difficulties, but a GP must confirm eligibility.

Money expert Martin Lewis explains: “A doctor must certify the person is ‘severely mentally impaired’ – a diagnosis alone isn’t enough.”

Warning over appealing your council tax band

With bills rising, some households are considering challenging their council tax band – but experts warn it can backfire.

While a successful appeal could save around £500 a year, there is also a risk your bill could increase.

Mel Whiting from Norton Finance said: “Appealing your council tax isn’t a free hit.”

“If your home is undervalued, your bill can go up substantially.”

In some cases, an unsuccessful appeal could move a property into a higher band permanently and even affect neighbouring homes.

How to check if you are overpaying your Council Tax

Before appealing, experts suggest:

• Checking your council tax band online
• Comparing with similar homes nearby
• Looking at properties of similar size, type and age

If similar homes are in a lower band, you may have grounds to challenge.

What to consider before acting

You are more likely to successfully challenge your band if you have lived in the property for less than six months. However, appeals can take time and outcomes are not guaranteed.

Once a band is changed, it is likely to remain in place.

Appealing your band carries risk, and could leave you paying more if it goes the wrong way.

Dani Scott, 22, from Galashiels, began chatting to Jake, 24, from South Carolina, after he commented on one of her YouTube videos — and when he flew 4,000 miles to meet her for the first time, he proposed the very next day.

A British woman got engaged just 24 hours after meeting an American man who commented under one of her YouTube videos.

Dani Scott, 22, was engaged to another man but decided to call off the wedding weeks before it was supposed to go ahead, as the couple weren’t getting on.

Two months later, the waitress, from Galashiels, Scotland, began chatting to Jake, 24, from South Carolina, USA, after he commented under one of her YouTube videos about dumbphones. The pair started dating, without ever meeting face to face.

Jake, who works in retail travelled 4,000 miles to Scotland to visit Dani in February 2026, and got down on one knee just 24 hours after they met in person for the first time.

Waitress Dani was over the moon at the proposal and the couple plan to wed in summer 2027, before she relocates permanently across the Atlantic.

She said that some friends have shared concerns about how quickly she has got engaged again, after breaking up with her fianc just two months before they ‘met’ online, but hopes that they will come round to the idea, after seeing how happy she is.

Dani, who first told her story to Talk To The Press said: “I met Jake through YouTube, a month after splitting from my fiance , who I broke up with a few weeks before our wedding.

“We both made videos about dumbphones and started chatting.

“After a few phone calls we decided we liked each other, even though he’s in America, and I’m in Scotland.

“I like that he sees the world differently to other people.

“He’s very gentle, kind, and really into nature, we just instantly clicked.

“We started dating a week after our first call, even though we’d never met in person.

“He came to visit me for the first time in February 2026 and spent 12 days in Scotland with me.

“It was amazing, the best 12 days of my life, we just got on so well.

“The day after we met, Jake proposed, whilst we were on a walk.

“I knew it was going to happen, but it was still so exciting.

“Long distance is really difficult; it was much easier to cope before we’d met in person.

“My family have come round to the relationship now, but some friends think getting engaged again four months after breaking up with my ex-fianc is a bit soon.

“Some friends didn’t even know I’d broken up with Matthew, so they are quite confused.

“People’s judgement does upset me sometimes, but I think over time people will get more used to the idea, as they will see that I’m actually happy.”

Dani met her ex fianc at university in 2024, when they were both studying theology. The pair had a whirlwind romance, and within six months, he had popped the question.

The duo planned to get married in September 2025, around a year and a half after they first met. However, as their nuptials approached, the couple decided to postpone the wedding.

“He wasn’t happy and I wasn’t happy, so we decided to postpose the wedding”, she said.

The couple tried to make things work, but after struggling to see eye to eye, cancelled the wedding completely in October 2025.

“I was actually really relieved, as I was really unhappy”, she said.

As they cancelled everything so close to the wedding date, Dani said getting refunds was almost impossible, and ended up losing around £2,000.

Dani uses her YouTube channel to post videos about how she thinks dumbphones (mobile phones without internet access or apps) are better than smartphones.

Intrigued, Jake commented under one of her videos, telling her that she had inspired him to start his own channel.

Jake also began posting about dumbphones, and the pair became invested in each other’s channels.

Then, two months after Dani had split up with Matthew, in December 2025, Jake left a comment under her video, asking for her email address.

She agreed and the couple began emailing back and forth all day, before Jake asked to call her.

After a few calls, the couple decided to start dating, even though they had never met in person and live 4,000 miles apart.

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Then in February 2026, Jake flew from South Carolina to Scotland, for a 12 day trip, to visit Dani for the first time.

Just 24 hours after Dani and Jake first met, he got down on one knee whilst they were on a walk in the local countryside.

“We’d decided we wanted to get married from the first moment we started talking”, she said.

Dani revealed that one of the reasons the couple wanted to get married so quickly, is so that she can apply for a visa to move to the US.

They think it could take over a year for her visa to get processed, so are planning to get wed in South Carolina in summer 2027.

Unfortunately, Dani’s family will not be able to attend the wedding due to costs, but the couple plan to have a celebration in Scotland before their big day, to celebrate with her relatives.

While Dani’s visa is being processed, she is unable to visit the US, meaning that the first time she goes to America will be for her wedding.

However, thankfully Jake is going to visit Dani in April, which will be the second time they meet in person, and will then travel to the UK every few months, until the wedding.

Dani’s family were initially hesitant about the relationship, but since meeting him during his visit, she says they have “come round”.

However, some friends are concerned that she has got engaged again too quickly after splitting from her ex.

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It comes as dozens of eligible people, including students, queued up again around the county for the menB vaccine or antibiotics, although numbers in the lines have dropped considerably since the rollout began on Wednesday, with no queue outside the previously busy University of Kent Canterbury campus vaccination site as of 10am on Sunday.