"It was very much like a miracle that had happened... and I don't believe in miracles... but we got one".
A woman from Lincolnshire has been reunited with her father in Kirklees after spending 58 years apart.
A Dewsbury Facebook community group has helped to reunite a family after spending half a decade apart.
Julie Lund hadn't seen her father since the age of one, but after losing her mum and step-dad earlier this year, she sought help to track down her biological father.
The fifty-nine-year-old was "blown away" by the responses from the local community and was led to her long-lost father.
Announcing their first meeting in 58 years on Facebook, Julie said:
"What a fantastic day today was! Meeting my Dad for the first time since I was a baby...Thank you so much to all the lovely folk of Dewsbury especially Bob Whiteside for his amazing detective work."
She added "I've waited so long for this day and couldn't be happier. Looking forward to meeting the rest of the family soon".
The amazing revelation came from a simple family photo posted onto a local Kirklees community discussion page.
Julie appealed to the public to see if anyone recognised the family in a photo from the 1960s earlier this month and was overwhelmed with comments with people straight away recognising the Lee family.
This photo was shared on the Kirklees Facebook page and was instantly picked up by a number of residents that recognised the Lee family. / Image: Julie Lund, Facebook
She has since met her father and step-mum for the first time in 58 years and thanked the people of Dewsbury for their ongoing support in this life-changing discovery.
The Facebook group, with over 26,000 members was astonished to hear that one simple post could have had such brilliant results.
"One photograph was all it took. Then things snowballed much faster than anyone could have comprehended. I am so happy for you Julie. I can't begin to imagine how you must be feeling after all those years of not knowing."
Their story has since been broadcast on news channels around the world. The father-and-daughter duo plan to meet up regularly as they only live a 60-minute drive away and look forward to spending time together.
A brand-new playground has opened this Summer at a Grade II Listed building in Huddersfield where kids can play out for free.
With the Summer holidays in full swing, what better way to keep the kids occupied than to let them spend a few hours at this all-new playground just in Huddersfield.
And what makes this wooden play area even more exciting is the fact that it's located within the 11 acres of land at Cliffe House in Shepley, meaning its in the perfect spot for families from Holmfirth, Meltham, Honley and Huddersfield town centre.
This Grade II Listed building is recognised for providing children across West Yorkshire with some exciting school trips where they can get involved with outdoor art workshops, buggy building, archery, bushcraft and more.
Now Cliffe House has a brand-new addition courtesy of its a free playground where kids can roam, climb, glide, skip, hop, jump and everything in between, and you don't have to spend a single penny.
That's because, this rustic-style adventure area features everything from rope climbing frames and raised plank bridges to tyre parkour and ziplines with no entry free whatsoever.
And, if that wasn't enough to convince you to make the journey over to this Shepley outdoor park, there's even an on-site café that offers a children's lunch box meal for only £4 - What are you waiting for?
The menu also features all your on-the-go food favourites like sandwiches, toasties and choc ices so the kids can jump right back into all the fun this West Yorkshire playground has to offer.
So, if you're after a day out that incorporates fresh air, full tummies and a whole load of adventure, then this brand-new and completely free play area at Cliffe House is ideal for you.
If you're looking to find out more about Cliffe House and its opening hours throughout the Summer holidays, as well as a full calendar of events its running throughout the year, visit the Grade II Listed building's website HERE.
Featured Images - Wikimedia Commons (via supplied)
Kirklees
15 places kids can eat for £1 or FREE throughout the summer holidays
Thomas Melia
With the summer holidays just around the corner, we’ve rounded up 15 places kids can eat for £1 or free across the UK.
In case the ongoing heatwave didn’t remind you, summer is in full swing, and that means the inevitable school holidays are nearly here.
If you’re after ways to enjoy some quality family time without having to break the bank, we’ve found lots of places where kids can eat for £1 or free – 15 of them, to be exact.
So, whether you’re in the mood for a hearty Italian, a bit of brekkie, or even a big Greek feast, just because you’re on a budget shouldn’t mean you have to limit your and your family’s taste buds.
Here are 15 places you can take the kids to eat for £1 or even free this summer holidays:
15 places kids eat for £1 or free throughout the summer holidays
Asda Café
Any child aged 16 or under can eat for £1 when dining at any Asda Café location, and every meal comes with a piece of fruit. There’s no minimum spend required and this deal is running all-day, seven days a week.
Bill’s
Brunch spot Bill’s is offering two free kids’ meals to any child aged 10 or younger when purchasing an adult main meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner). This free meal includes a main, side and dessert, but is only applicable Monday to Friday. They’ve even got a special deal built for teenagers, too.
Turtle Bay
This Caribbean-inspired chain entitles one free kids’ meal per each adult, who spends £15 or more and presents a code via its app. Children paying a visit to Turtle Bay, who are 10 and under, will receive a kids’ meal and small soft drink.
The Real Greek
Every Sunday, The Real Greek is offering one free kids’ meal for each adult that spends £15 or more on any menu items. This deal will be automatically applied to the bill with the child getting to choose between a souvlaki wrap or mezze selection.
Beefeater
Two children under 16 are entitled to a free breakfast with any adult who purhcases an unlimited cooked breakfast for £10.99. There’s no specific end date for this one, and it applies to Premier Inn hotels as well as further Whitbread restaurants: Table Table, Whitbread Inns, Bar + Block, and Brewers Fayre.
There are lots of locations offering kids eat free or for £1 across the UK / Credit: Tesco (Supplied)
Bella Italia
Any adult dining at a Bella Italia location who purchases a main meal can get a free starter, main, dessert and juice for their child. Kids eat free all-year-long between Sunday to Thursday. This offer will be automatically applied to the bill. Subject to venue.
Morrisons Café
At Morrisons Café locations, when an adult spends £5 or more on a main meal, little ones can get a free hot meal including a main, side and veg or pick ‘n’ mix meal which contains a sandwich, snack and drink.
Tesco Café
Running in over 330 participating Tesco Café sites, kids are allowed a free hot meal, breakfast or pick ‘n’ mix meal when purchased alongside a full price adult meal. A valid Tesco Clubcard must be scanned, with this offer working on weekends too. The supermarket is also bringing back free fruit in 800 Tesco stores.
Sizzling Pubs
When visiting with a Sizzling Pub on a Monday after 12pm, children can eat for £1 alongside any adult buying a main meal. This discount will be automatically applied and will work at all their restaurants.
Travelodge
If an adult purchases an unlimited breakfast for £9.99, two kids aged 15 or under can eat for £1. This deal is running for anyone, and you don’t even have to be staying over at one of their hotels – you can simply walk in.
Dunelm Pausa Café
A child can eat free with every £4 spent by an adult at Dunelm Pausa Café. The deal guarantees kids a main, two snacks and a drink. If an adult spends £8, two kids could eat for free and so on.
Brewers Fayre
Just like Beefeater and other Whitbread restaurant brands, two children under 16 can get a free breakfast when an adult purchases an unlimited cooked breakfast for £10.99.
Table Table
As mentioned above, two children aged under 16 are entitled to a free breakfast when dining with a paying adult who buys an unlimited cooked breakfast for £10.99.
Dobbies
When an adult purchases a main meal of £8.75 or more, kids can dine-in for 88p. The offer applies to the children’s breakfast and lunch menu with the option of hot food or a pick and mix box, both including a drink. Only applicable in Dobbies; the offer isn’t valid in ‘Little Dobbies’ stores.
IKEA
Although there isn’t an official offer, Swedish furniture chain IKEA is recognised for its affordable menu serving up delicious dishes like pasta and tomato sauce for children from 85p. The adults’ menu is pretty reasonable too, with a mixed vegetable rice meal for just £2.50. Breakfast rolls are £1.75, and individual breakfast items start from 75p.
Featured Images - Press Shots (Tesco, Bill’s, IKEA via supplied)
Sophie Smith -
25th October 2021 
