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Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month

Clementine Hall - 2nd October 2026

A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.

Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.

His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.

Image: Supplied

Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.

Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.

Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...

And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.

Image: Supplied

The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.

You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured images - Supplied

News

The tallest building in Yorkshire has just opened in Leeds standing at 440ft tall and 45 storeys high

Clementine Hall

Leeds is now home to the tallest building in Yorkshire.

And you'll never believe what it is...it's student accommodation of course.

Created by Fusion Students, the new 633 bed student accommodation building on Merrion Way stands at 134 metres (440 feet) and 45 storeys high, making it Yorkshire’s tallest building, as well as the world’s tallest student only accommodation building.

Boasting jaw dropping, panoramic views of the city, these aren't just your average student flats.

There's a roof terrace, private dining rooms, games room, gym, you name it - they've got it.

Image: Supplied

Lindsay Hamilton, general manager of Fusion Students Leeds said: “I honestly wish I could go back to being a student just so I could live here. It’s such an incredible space, with so much to offer residents.

“You can see how excited they are when they come for a tour, but what’s been really lovely is seeing how much they actually use and benefit from the space once they move in. It’s much more than just somewhere to live, it’s a space that really supports them.”

Image: Supplied

Speaking about the new opening, Laura Kurt, Managing Director for Fusion Students said: “Whilst we’re thrilled to have the accolades of tallest PBSA building and Yorkshire’s tallest building, what we’re really proud about is the incredible building we’ve been able to create for students coming to study in Leeds.

"This is a very special building, carefully designed to provide everything students need to get the most out of their journey through higher education. From industry leading amenities such as recording and photography studios, to wrap around care and support, to make settling into a new city, making friends and leaving with the best outcomes possible, that’s really what Fusion Students Leeds is all about."

Read more: Leeds farm welcomes five calves from one of the UK’s rarest cattle breeds

Featured image - Supplied

News

Leeds farm welcomes five calves from one of the UK’s rarest cattle breeds

Clementine Hall

One of the rarest cattle breeds in the UK has had calves at Temple Newsam’s farm.

We think this might be the cutest story we've written about all year.

Categorised as ‘priority’ by the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST), Vaynol cows originate from North Wales and were first established in the late 19^th Century.

The herd over at Temple Newsam stems directly from that first herd, having lived there since the 1980’s.

Images: Leeds City Council

Images: Leeds City Council

And now, they've welcomed five new calves - and the beautiful new arrivals are just five of 150 animals in the UK.

Vaynols can now be found in five locations in the UK, with Temple Newsam’s Home Farm currently home to one bull, 14 breeding cows, five heifers these amazing new calves.

Richard Aldis, farm manager at Temple Newsam, said: “We’re so thrilled to have welcomed these little ones to the farm.

“The team here works hard to protect these rare breeds that the farm is home to and it’s always wonderful when we can successfully grow the herd. The calves are settling in well and we’re just thinking about names for them.”

Councillor James Gibson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment, said: “It’s wonderful to hear the news about these rare little calves being born, it is truly a testament to the important work that is done by the team at Temple Newsam’s Home Farm in preserving these breeds for future generations.

“There is so much for visitors to enjoy at the estate. Alongside the farm and its wonderful animals, people can explore the magnificent Temple Newsam House, enjoy the new bike park, and visit the recently opened play barn. It really is a fantastic day out for the whole family.”

Read more: A beloved Leeds bar is moving after 15 years – but its new home is only three minutes away

Featured image - Leeds City Council