CASTLEFORD DAILY BRIEFING OF NEWS AND EVENTS 1 OCTOBER 2025

 Compiled by Tony Wallis

Castleford Christmas Lights switch on - 25 November 2025

The newly published district plan sets out a 10 year vision for how Castleford and the district can grow stronger, be fairer, and be stable over the next decade. Involving residents, community groups, businesses and public agencies, the plan focuses on improving opportunities for everyone while protecting what makes Castleford and Wakefield District special.

It highlights six key ambitions – from creating good jobs and affordable housing to tackling climate change and supporting children and young people – with the aim of making this a place we can all be proud to call home.

To start, download the plan or read the summary at the end of this briefing. The plan is at

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/media/ld5pzcn5/wakefield-district-plan-2025-2035.pdf

Have a read and write your comments on the blog or on the Facebook post. How do you see the town changing in the next few years?

Ever since my father died too early because of his smoking, I've been supporting anti-smoking campaigns. The Yorkshire Smoke Free Bus is visiting Castleford this month. Dates and locations are under "News' below.

Through 'Talk Castleford with Tony' we can have a discussion at how to make the plan work for us, work for the town. To leave comments on today’s briefing, sign in with Google (see below) or go to the accompanying Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/talk.castleford/

Tony 


NEWS


Castleford fashion designer encourages community to shop sustainably to support Yorkshire Cancer Research

Kara McKune reports in the Wakefield Express

https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/shopping/castleford-fashion-designer-encourages-community-to-shop-sustainably-to-support-yorkshire-cancer-research-5337816


Wakefield Together Partnership launches 10 year plan for the District

See the plan here:

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/media/ld5pzcn5/wakefield-district-plan-2025-2035.pdf


Yorkshire Smoke free Bus

Learn how you can get better health by stopping smoking.

The bus will be at Junction 32 (next to Next) on 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th October. It will also be at Queen’s Mill 28th October.

For further information including locations outside of Castleford visit

https://wakefield.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/pages/yorkshire-smoke-free-bus





EVENTS

Events subject to change. Please check with the organiser before visiting.


Castleford Christmas Lights switch on 25th November 2025.

Activities start at 12 noon.


Castleford Museum,  top floor (lift available) Library and Museum, Carlton Street.


Information about the museum at 

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/museums-and-castles/castleford-museum


Toddler Tuesdays every Tuesday in term time 10am to 11am. No booking required.


Family Fun. Every Saturday 10am to 3pm. No booking required.


Medieval Monsters Pop-up Books


Mon 27 Oct 2025 - Fri 31 Oct 2025 10am to 3pm


Castleford Library, Carlton Street

Wordfest.

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wakefield-libraries/wordfest-2025-story-times/e-myjyv



Festival of Activities for over 50s October 2025


8 October 10am to 12 noon Queen’s Mill, Aire Street.

Poppy making.

Raising funds for the Royal British Legion. Part of Castleford Heritage Trust’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations.

To book (event is free) call 01977 556741.



Hollowe’en events


Pumpkin Patch. Kids can pick their own pumpkin, carve it into a spooky masterpiece, and snap a photo with seasonal scarecrow and wheelbarrow displays.

Pontefract Market – Wednesday 29 October, 10am til 3pm

Castleford Market – Thursday 30 October, 10am til 3pm


Castleford Historical Society talks


All at Trinity Church starting 7pm.  £2 charge for non-members.


Tuesday 21 October

Crime and Punishment

Speaker - Eric A Jackson


Tuesday 18 November

The Donald Prince Memorial Lecture

Made in Yorkshire

Speaker - Stuart Hartley


https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090751030505


The Hut, Kershaw Avenue WF10 3ES

Community Leisure Centre.

https://www.facebook.com/TheHutAiredaleWMDC/


Other events

Friday 10th October - Mental Health day. 

https://www.wakefieldfamiliestogether.co.uk/wakefield-mental-health-day-2025/



SURVEYS


Flying the flag survey


Wakefield Council is consulting on flying flags such as the Union Jack and the flag of St George. Your submission is anonymous and there is only one question, asking to write your views. The survey closes 31st October 2025.


https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/about-the-council/consultation-and-engagement/wakefield-council-feedback/wakefield-flag-survey



Knottingley to Goole Rail Corridor Study

Don’t be put off by the title. As Castleford and Glasshoughton stations are on the Leeds to Goole line, this survey includes residents of Castleford. The survey closes 12th October.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a7396d2214bc4a78a44fb06522aa89b3


TALK CASTLEFORD WITH TONY


This blog is part of ‘Talk Castleford with Tony’ - the big discussion on social media about the future, present and past of Castleford, West Yorkshire. Find out more by visiting


 https://www.talkcastlefordwithtony.co.uk



WAKEFIELD DISTRICT PLAN 2025-2035


Quick summary for 'Talk Castleford with Tony'


The new "Wakefield District Plan' is about building a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable Castleford and District over the next 10 years.


The plan wants Castleford and the District  to become a place where "everyone has equal opportunities, good health, decent housing, and strong communities".


The plan is built around six big ambitions":


1. A fair economy – with more good jobs, thriving town centres, affordable homes, and better transport.

2. Support for children and young people  – so every child can grow up safe, healthy, and ready for their future.

3. Healthier lives  – reducing inequalities, focusing on prevention, and giving people more control over their care.

4. Tackling climate change  – reaching net zero by 2038, with greener energy, better public transport, and more green spaces.

5. Thriving communities – safer neighbourhoods, stronger voluntary groups, and places where people feel they belong.

6. Better services – local organisations working together to deliver value for money and make life simpler for residents.


You can measure its success by looking at the results: lower poverty, longer life expectancy, better wages and skills, less crime, a cleaner environment.




Thank you for reading today’s briefing. You can leave comments below (sign on with Google) or on under today's Facebook post. https://www.facebook.com/talk.castleford/


#Castleford #TalkCastleford #Castlefordevents 


Location: Castleford, UK

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