Out of the woodland swooped the barn owl, majestic, silent, beautiful, quartering the field before coming to rest on a post.

It was a sight Liam Pinchen had dreamed of - a reward for all the hard work and patience he had put in.

“I’d captured them in flight, but I hadn’t managed to photograph one perched before,” said the teenager.

“But after many nights of going out, one flew towards me and landed not too far away. It was probably only there for two seconds, but I managed to get the shot I had been waiting months for.

“It’s moments like that when you remember why you do photography, just the pure joy and happiness it brings. It certainly makes all the times it doesn’t go right worth it.”

For Liam, 18, and from the Starbeck area of Harrogate, this moment was more poignant than it might have been for other people.

A promising footballer, Liam was part of Harrogate Town’s academy and had been hopeful of earning a scholarship. However, aged 13, he fell seriously ill and was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition HSP, which caused chronic fatigue and forced him to give up the game he loved.

Now, photography has become Liam’s passion. Recently, he received £200 from the Starbeck Community Fund which has enabled him to design a website where he can showcase his wildlife photography.

“I think it’s very important to get out into nature - it’s very good for the mind,” he said. “With photography, there is something very rewarding when you come away with a good photo. It’s about capturing a split second in time that no one else has captured.

“Even if it is just something like a robin on a branch, it’s still your unique moment. When I’m out with the camera, I feel like any worries I have just go away. I’ve learned to appreciate every moment and take in everything that’s going on around me.”

For Martin Johnson and his wife Jenny, the outdoors holds a similar sense of peace and joy.

“Watching the tide flow in and out and the waves crash against the shore – is mesmerising and timeless,” said Martin as he and his wife decorate their beach hut for Christmas.

We first met the retired couple last summer, as they settled into one of the newly restored beach chalets in Scarborough.

Now, with Christmas approaching, they are embracing the festive spirit and relishing the opportunity to enjoy the season by the sea.

“It means a lot to us,” Martin said. “We have countless treasured memories of Christmas connected to the beach chalets, as we have used them since childhood. It’s truly wonderful to be able to continue our long-held family tradition and enjoy another festive period here.”

The Edwardian beach chalets, a cherished feature of Scarborough’s coastline, were seriously damaged by two landslips in 2018, leading to their demolition a year later. As part of a £580,000 project, we rebuilt the wooden chalets to match the former Grade II listed buildings, returning them to their original splendour.

“We’ve travelled all over the world and haven’t really come across a better singular view anywhere. They are magnificent. Nothing beats the Scarborough seafront,” said Martin. “It is so lovely just sitting there and taking in the scenery, watching the waves and the tide come in or go out. There’s so much to see and so much to take in.

“We’re really looking forward to sharing more experiences and making even more memories with friends and family as we head into 2025.”

As the Johnsons celebrate the festive season by the sea, other local initiatives are making an equally profound impact inland.

The FEAST Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is providing enriching activities and healthy meals for children and young people across the county.

Starting in 2021, the scheme’s influence has grown to now reach more than 14,500 children and young people a year, 6,500 of which attend for free.

Co-ordinated by North Yorkshire Together, which is commissioned by us through funding from the Department for Education, the popular scheme works with 90 providers across the county and this festive season will run from Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3.

In addition, from welcoming Ukrainian newcomers to fostering employment skills in young carers and supporting neurodivergent young people, FEAST has played an instrumental role in inspiring participants across the county.

Among those is Harry Wilkinson, who has autism. The FEAST sessions at Harrogate’s Zen Sensory which is a space designed for children with special educational needs and disabilities, became a lifeline for the 16-year-old, opening doors to new skills and confidence.

Starting as a participant, Harry progressed to a volunteer role and eventually a paid position at Zen Sensory after his dedication, skills and natural ability to engage with visitors were recognised.

And with a dream of one day becoming a police officer supporting those with additional needs, Harry’s experience at Zen Sensory has provided him with invaluable training in care and first aid.

Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “Stories like these highlight the incredible connections people have with their passions and traditions, whether it is discovering new skills, or continuing family experiences.

“We understand that small actions and bold investments can have equal impact on people’s lives and create meaningful change.

“These stories inspire us to keep investing in our people and the places they hold dear and to build on these moments and as 2025 approaches, we remain dedicated to making sure North Yorkshire is a county where everyone can flourish.”