TALKING CAS #1 (19 DECEMBER 2025 ) CHRISTMAS COMES TO CAS

TALKING CAS #1 (19 DECEMBER 2025 ) CHRISTMAS COMES TO CAS - JOIN THE CONVERSATION

*Talk Castleford with Tony** presents

Talking Cas - Issue 1 – Friday 19 December 2025

Let’s Talk Cas — Properly

Have you ever opened social media hoping for a bit of connection…

…and closed it five minutes later feeling worn down by gloom, negativity, and thoughtless comments?

Or perhaps you’ve felt the opposite problem of upbeat pages that gloss over real issues, and don’t reflect everyday life as it really is?

If any of that sounds familiar, then welcome to *Talking Cas*.

‘Talking Cas’ is a weekly space for real people, real opinions, and real conversations about Castleford — its challenges, its character, and the things that make us proud to call it home. Optimistic, yes. Honest, always.

Most importantly: your views matter here — and they will be read, respected, and shared.

So please don’t just read on…

👉 Comment, question, disagree (politely!), and add your voice.. This only works if we talk with each other.

Talking Point 1: The New Costa Drive Thru

Let’s start with something that’s already generating a fair bit of conversation.

The new Costa Drive Thru in the town centre has opened, and opinions seem to be brewing already

I’ll be honest — I enjoy the Costa Drive Thru at Glasshoughton, and I’ve spent plenty of time in the Costa at Junction 32. But I’ve yet to visit this new one.

So this one’s over to you:

Have you used the new Costa yet?
How was the experience? Worth it or not?
Do you prefer it, or do you still favour the independent cafés in the town centre?
And what about the traffic? Were the worries justified, or has it settled down better than expected?

There’s no “right” answer here. What matters is what you’ve seen, what you’ve experienced, and what you think.

👇 Add a comment below and tell us.

Talking Point #2: How’s Your Post?

Now for something that affects almost everyone — and, frankly, has tested my patience recently.

How’s your postal service been?

I’m still having problems. Just this week, I received a bundle of mail on Sunday (yes, Sunday) — with most of it already overdue.

One item was particularly worrying: An agenda for a meeting that was posted in good time, but arrived after the meeting had already taken place. Now imagine if that had been a hospital appointment. The cost, disruption, and stress — not to mention the waste of NHS time — would have been serious.

Royal Mail told me in a phone call that the temporary problem was due to staffing shortages and the service is improving.

So I’d really like to hear from you:

Are your letters arriving late?
Are deliveries improving, or getting worse?
Is this a one-off, or something you’re seeing regularly?

Share your experience — it helps build a clearer picture of what’s happening across the town.

A Castleford Success Story - Forever After

Now for something that deserves a big smile.

We’re incredibly proud of Donna Wilson, of ‘Forever After’ on Carlton Street.

If you’ve not been in yet, it’s a real gem. I love shopping there when I’m looking for something unusual or meaningful. The shop showcases craft products from over 50 small businesses, giving independent makers a place to grow and be seen. Even better, it runs workshops to support them; community enterprise in action.

And the recognition is now national.

Donna was selected for ‘SmallBiz100’, a fantastic achievement that puts Castleford firmly on the map. Our MP, Yvette Cooper, is an admirer too, and recently welcomed Donna at a special reception at Westminster.

Have you visited *Forever After*?
Do you enjoy shopping local and supporting independent businesses?
Which Castleford shops deserve a shout-out next?

Let’s celebrate local success — drop a comment and tell us who else we should be proud of.

A Seasonal Reminder: Shops, Travel, and Christmas Patience

As we head into the festive season, a gentle reminder.

If you’re shopping in popular supermarkets like Asda or Morrisons, please be patient with staff and fellow shoppers. They’re busy places at this time of year.