On behalf of Mashamshire Community Hub run by Mashamshire Community Office Charity, we want to extend you a warm welcome.
Masham and surrounding villages make up our small, but thriving community. There is more going on than many expect. You may already be aware of all the info here, but if not, it might help you feel at home to have the inside track on Masham life and who does what…
Introducing Mashamshire Community Office
Mashamshire Commuity Office is a small independent charity, based in the Old Police House (opposite the Masham GP Surgery and just down from the Town Hall). Established over 20 years ago, our very existence is evidence of the “can-do” spirit of Masham as the charity was established when businesses coming and community members came together to create a central place for visitor information and community facilities.
Since then our building has become the “hub” that connects of lots of activities in Masham, for residents, businesses and visitors.
Buts the can-do spirit was called upon again recently when everyone came together to save us from being homeless, by raising the money to purchase our building. Our building is now a permanent asset for Masham. We can confidently continue to provide information and support to residents, businesses, and visitors.
Make Us Your First Port of Call...
So, do make us your first port of call for…
- Local information, maps and community notice boards
- Tourist information and leaflets
- Masham Community Library – on the first floor via an accessible lift
- Wellbeing Social Walks – Weekly Strollers: Fri at 10am followed by tea and biscuits at the Town Hall; Monthly Striders: 1st Tue of the month at 10am, for a longer, brisker walk
- Town Hall Room Bookings and Ticket Sales for events
- Business networking information and promotion
- Computers, printing and copying services
- Help with blue badges and bus passes
- Other form filling or help with technology
- Jigsaw library and second-hand books
- Local art and crafts for sale in our Flock Gallery
- Citizens Advice face-to-face clinics (1st Thu of the month by appointment)
- MIND mental health hub (every Thu by appointment)
- Acorns Preschool (access from the back of our building)
- Masham Parish Council Clerk 2pm-6pm Mon and Wed
- Local volunteering opportunities – whatever skills or time you have to give
Our team of staff and volunteers have plenty of local knowledge and connections. So, if you need help with anything, call or drop in to see us. If we can’t help, we can usually put you in touch with someone who can.
Experience a virtual tour of our building
Keep Tabs on News
Here are some of the established, reliable sources of information and communication which Mashamshire Community Hub operates…
- Masham Directory – info-packed, updated annually and delivered door to door
- Our weekly e-news – sign up for local news at: www.visitmasham.com/signup
- visitmasham.com – our website for both visitors and locals. Find local trades, shops, activities and local community groups, plus “What’s On” for local events
- Mashamshire Community is our Facebook page aimed at locals
- Visit Masham is our Facebook page aimed at visitors, but useful for everyone (share with family and friends as they plan their next trip to visit you!)
- You can also connect with us on Instagram @VisitMasham
Other helpful sources of news and discussion are the Masham Parish Council Facebook page and the Masham Buzz Facebook Group
Local Government – So Who Does What?
Your Parish Council
Masham along with other Parish Councils in the surrounding villages are statutory bodies of elected local councillors (all unpaid volunteers), who meet monthly to work on behalf of the locality.
In Masham, they organise Masham Market, are consulted on planning decisions, provide parking and electric charging points in the Marketplace, maintain several local outdoor amenities, and sponsor various local initiatives. They employ a Parish Clerk to provide administrative support who is based at MCO. Their budget comes principally from market income and honesty parking donations and Councillors are unpaid, so it benefits us all to shop and support the market.
The Council meets on 1st Mon of the month at Masham Town Hall. All meetings are open to members of the public to attend. The agenda and minutes are available from MCO.
Find out who your Parish Councillor is on their website: mashamparishcouncil.com and follow the Masham Parish Council Facebook page. View other local parish council details here.
North Yorkshire Council
Until 2023 Masham came under Harrogate Borough Council for Planning, Housing, Refuse and Recycling and Environmental Health, with vital services like Education, Social Services, Highways, Libraries and Transport all coming under the brief of the County Council. In April 2023, Harrogate was one of the seven Councils in North Yorkshire to be abolished with all their functions taken over by the newly created “unitary authority” of North Yorkshire Council. So now one local authority is responsible for all local services. Their HQ is County Hall in Northallerton.
Council decisions are made by elected Councillors and, in Masham we are represented by Mashamshire resident, Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister whose email contact is: cllr.felicity.cunliffe-lister@northyorks.gov.uk.
Leisure and Things to Do in Masham
Masham Town Hall
Masham Town Hall stands, bold and beautiful just off the main Marketplace. Gifted by the 2nd Lord Masham, it has nothing to do with the local authority. It is a registered charity run by volunteers.
It is a great asset, offering meeting, event and performance space and a regular programme of events for locals and visitors to enjoy throughout the year. Its income is from room hire and ticket sales, so it relies on local support, plus funds raised from Masham Steam Rally, which are invaluable. Room bookings and ticket purchases can be made at MCO.
The Town Hall website is mashamtownhall.com
Masham Sports Association
A range of sporting clubs and activities are on offer from Masham Sports Association which is located in the Pavilion on the cricket pitch. All volunteer-run, there is something for everyone – football, cricket, tennis, bowls and boules. See the Directory or visitmasham.com for more info about the various clubs or contact the Chairperson, David Broadley: DavidJFBroadley@outlook.com. The venue is also available to hire by contacting Hayley Metcalfe on 07752 240939.
Other Activities
A wide range of other clubs and activities in and around Masham, from Masham Snooker Club to Fearby Badminton; from Masham Golf Club to the Masham Knitting Group, from the WI to Brownies, Guides, Scouts and Little Lambs – all welcome new faces.
Find out more about Clubs and Associations in the area. Or view events pages to find out about regular groups, classes or clubs.
Church Activities
St Marys Church and Masham Methodist Church hold regular services and host a variety of inclusive community events and activities. See Events pages for regular events and activities.
Other Services
Post Office
We sadly lost our permanent Post Office for now, but in the meantime The Post Office Van visits three times a week and parks right outside MCO.
- Mon: 11:40am-3:25pm
- Wed: 1:00pm-3:00pm
- Thu: 9:00am-11:00am
If you miss it, try West Tanfield or Bedale Post Offices
Public Transport
Bus services serving Masham are provided by DaleBus (bus stop opposite MCO)
- 159 – Richmond to Ripon (change at Ripon for Harrogate, York)
- 144 – Bedale to Masham (change at Bedale for Northallerton)
Local Train stations are Harrogate, Nothallerton, Thirsk
Taxi services are available (contact MCO for info)
Masham Major Events
There’s always something going on! From Family Fun Days and community get togethers celebrating national events like the Coronation, to unique events that bring visitors to town, like the annual Steam Engine & Fair Organ Rally in July, or Masham Sheep Fair in September. All are organised and run by volunteers to raise funds for local charities – all proceeds from the Steam Rally support the Town Hall; Masham Sheep Fair is free, but all parking proceeds go to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and other local charities.
In this way the efforts of local people go back into local facilities, for the benefit of the whole Masham community.
Local Shopping & Socialising
For a small place we punch above our weight! We’re lucky to have two wonderful breweries, four pubs, a gin distillery and wine shop, a choice of exceptional cafes and a few “fine dining” options too! You can buy fashions, outdoor gear, pet food, decorating equipment, gifts, art and crafts; and who’d expect daily fresh fruit and veg and not one, but two, highly regarded butchers in a small town like Masham? The town also welcomes market stall holders every Wednesday and Saturday (and the 1st Sunday of every month during the summer). We’re all so lucky to have these facilities AND in such a beautiful rural location. Please support them whenever you can – their survival relies on all of us.
Find out more about Shopping Local.
Volunteering - Get Involved!
So much of the good stuff that happens in Masham is thanks to the many friends and neighbours that volunteer to help. If you want to get to know your community, connect with new people and contribute to this wonderful community, and you have a little time and energy to give, there are plenty of ways you can help. Please call in at MCO, and whether you’d like to help us at MCO, or prefer to get involved in other things, we can point you in the right direction.
We wish you all the best as you settle into your new home and enjoy all that Mashamshire has to offer. Please drop by MCO and just say hello!
Get in touchSupport us
MCO is an independent charity that works on behalf of Masham and surrounding villages to ensure our community is a lively, active, vibrant and supportive place to live, work and visit.
Read more about us, or click below to find out how you can support us.
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