Charles Hedley (1862–1926) was born in Masham, where his father the Rev. Canon Thomas Hedley was vicar. On 5 July 2014 the Tour de France Stage 1 from Leeds to Harrogate passed through the town. Governance Masham is part of the electoral ward of Mashamshire. This ward stretches west to Colsterdale with a total population taken at the 2011 Census of 2,350. The parish now shares a grouped parish council, known as Masham Parish Council, with Burton on Yore, Ellington High and Low, Ilton cum Pott and Swinton with Warthermarske. Community Masham market days are Wednesday, Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday with a Farmers' Market every first Sunday of the month from April to September. An annual Sheep Fair is held in September. The market place, the largest in the district, is tightly bordered on its south and west sides by ranges of two- and three-storey buildings. To the south-east, lies St. Mary's Church with its large yard. Although Masham is a relatively small town it has two working breweries, Black Sheep Brewery and Theakstons, situated only a few hundred yards from one another. The Black Sheep Brewery sponsors annual folk festivals. Previous performers have included Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers. The town was also for a long time home to Lightfoot Brewery. this was bought by the Theakston family and closed in the 1920s. The Lightfoot brewery buildings are now used by Black Sheep. The Masham Steam Engine & Fair Organ Rally is held annually, organised by the Masham Town Hall Association; it began in 1965 to raise money for Masham Town Hall. The town holds an arts festival every two years. Transport The nearest railway stations are Thirsk and Northallerton both of which are on the East Coast Main Line; although the town was formerly served by a station on the Masham branch railway. Buses operate from Ripon and the town is on the A6108 road between Ripon, Leyburn, Richmond and Scotch Corner. The town is several miles west of the A1(M) motorway. References External links Welcome to Masham Masham Guide "Welcome to Creative Masham!", Creativemasham.com Towns in North Yorkshire Market towns in North Yorkshire Civil parishes in North Yorkshire Wensleydale