Congratulations on your recent move! On behalf of Mashamshire Community Office (MCO) we want to extend you a warm welcome. Our small, but thriving community, has more going on than many expect. You may already know all this, but if not, it might help you feel at home to have the inside track on Masham life.
We are a small independent charity, based in the Old Police House (opposite the Masham GP Surgery and just down from the Town Hall). We’ve been a “hub” at the heart of this special community for over 20 years. In fact, the “can-do” spirit of Masham won through last year, when community and businesses came together to save us from being homeless, by raising the money to purchase our building. MCO’s building is now a permanent asset for Masham. We can confidently continue to provide information and support to residents, businesses, and visitors.
So, do make us your first port of call for…
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.
MCO helps keep our community up to date with local news and information via:
Other helpful sources of news and discussion are the Masham Parish Council Facebook page and the Masham Buzz Facebook Group
Masham Parish Council is a statutory body of elected local councillors who meet monthly to work on behalf of Masham. They organise Masham Market, are consulted on planning decisions, provide parking and electric charging points in the Marketplace, maintain several local 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.
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.
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
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.
A wide range of other clubs and activities in and around Masham are also listed in the Directory, 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.
St Marys Church and Masham Methodist Church hold regular services and host a variety of inclusive community events and activities.
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.
If you miss it, try West Tanfield or Bedale Post Offices
Bus services serving Masham are provided by DaleBus (bus stop opposite MCO)
Local Train stations are Harrogate, Nothallerton, Thirsk
Taxi services are available (contact MCO for info)
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.
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.
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!
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.
Donations welcome!
Donations enable us to continue supporting our rural community. Scan the QR on your phone’s camera to take you to our JustGiving donation page.
We aim is to keep our small rural community active and vibrant for all who live and visit here. Click here for more info, or call in. Click here if you'd like advertise here. Join our mailing list to keep in touch via email. We will not share your information - view our Privacy Policy here.
Little Market Place, Masham, HG4 4DY / Tel: 01765 680200
