Father's day is here and it's time to show your dad how much he means to you.
For those of us from sunny Yorkshire, we reckon there's a few things that set our good old Yorkshire dads apart from the rest. Whether he's a flat-cap wearing, garden-loving, country dweller or a BBQ hogging, fixer-upper; there's a few characteristics that they all have in common.
Here are ten things that make Yorkshire dads distinguishable. After all, you can take the dad out of Yorkshire but you most certainly can't take the Yorkshire out of the dad.
Your dad can fix anything, or will at least try to
Image: Unsplash, Tekton
Broken boiler? No problem. Problem with your car? Sure, pass it over.
No matter what skill set (or lack there of) your Yorkshire dad has he will have a go at fixing absolutely anything and everything. Because after all, that's a lot better than buying a brand new one, right?
We may roll our eyes at the thought and shake our heads, but we will always be grateful at them taking a crack at it. And let's be honest, most of the time they do fix it and oh, they most definitely won't let you forget it.
Your dad will find the best bargain for everything
Buying a new garden rake directly off the shelf? Absolutely no chance.
Your Yorkshire dad will only take that as a challenge to find the cheapest one from elsewhere whether that takes hours scrolling on Amazon or digging one out from the back of the garden shed and fixing it himself.
Your dad only cooks when the BBQ makes an appearance
Image: Unsplash, Evan Wise
Every single day of the week your dad isn't bothered about the cooking. But boy oh boy when the barbecue comes out it's a different story.
Of course the designated, novelty apron comes on and the obnoxiously large tongs come out. He will stand proud round the BBQ with a beer in hand whilst you're all drooling over the sausages which were supposed to be ready an hour ago.
Yes your burger may come out like a burnt hockey puck but you're never going to tell him that. Simple 'mmms' and 'aaaahs' will be heard round the table as your dad kicks up his feet and marvels at his brilliance.
He will only turn the heating on in the depths of winter
Image: Unsplash, Erin Mclean
As soon as it gets chilly we all enter dangerous territory. Several glances are exchanged towards the thermostat and you ponder whether it's time to ask your dad if you can turn the heating on. Common answers include 'put another jumper on' or 'make a fire if you want'.
Only once snow settles on the driveway and icicles frame the windows is it finally time to crank up the heating. But only then is it one degree at a time and he will know from miles away if you've secretly swizzled that nozzle to the right one notch.
Your dad definitely has a dad drawer
The dad drawer, a staple in every Yorkshire household. It's usually in the kitchen or in more severe cases there's a whole filing cabinet in the study.
But what goes in this drawer you might ask? All the essentials. Bills, passports, superglue, permanent markers, spare car keys, random cables for different electronic devices from around the house which can never be matched together, you name it and it's in there.
And be warned, whatever you do, do not go hunting unsupervised in the dad drawer, it's got its name for a reason and should always be approached with caution.
Your dad is incredible in an emergency
Image: Yorkshire Tea
I'm sure we can all recall numerous times where our dad has come to our rescue and acted as our own personal superhero.
Whether you're at the side of the road with a flat tire or had one too many at the pub and need a lift home, your dad will be there in a flash and handle the situation in a calm and collected manner. Broken up with your boyfriend? He may be a man of few words but you bet there'll be a cup of tea and a few biscuits on your doorstep to help ease the pain.
Your dad is the best at telling you off
Perhaps not the best of memories, but we have definitely all been there. Whereas our mums may rave and rant at us, once your dad gives you 'the look' you're done for.
The look most commonly comes with a side of silence, or maybe a 'I'm not angry, just disappointed' if you're lucky. He may then slam the door or stamp around the house for added affect, just to show you that you have in-fact made a huge mistake.
One things for sure, you'll never make that mistake again and you'll grovel for the foreseeable until you've made friends again. That will involve gallons of Yorkshire tea delivered and a few bags of liquorice thrown in for good measure.
Your dad absolutely loves Yorkshire
Image: Unsplash
This one may be obvious, but whether your dad no longer lives in Yorkshire and has ventured down south or to sunnier climates, they will always have a special place in their heart for God's Own Country and they won't let you forget it.
And we don't blame them, as we all know there's truly nothing better than taking a long walk on the rolling dales enjoying the spectacular views which Yorkshire has in abundance.
Whether you and your dad are together in Yorkshire still or not, you'll always have this special place we call home to bring your together, no matter where you are.
So here's to the Yorkshire dads, grandad's and dad's to be. You're truly something special.
As you're well aware by now, the North has some of this country's best artists and musicians, so much so, we are showcasing a new one to you every single month.
Meet Holly Rolfe, a Lichfield-born, Leeds-based artist who's music is cathartic, emotive with her stage presence helping create a pure-pop package.
Her singles have captivated audiences online with one song in particular, 'I'll Come Back To You', amassing over 250,000 streams.
She's also focused on uplifting fellow female musicians, something which she has made into a real initiative titled 'Women in Music Presents'.
And if you're wondering why all her outfits have varied in shades of blue when she's featured in videos on Audio North's Instagram account - she explains later on.
An interview with Holly Rolfe | Audio North's Artist of the Month: May
Meet Hilly Rolfe, Audio North's artist of the month for May / Credit: The Manc Group
How did you get into music?
I started busking at 14 after some encouragement from my Mum who was also a busker. Then I started performing at weddings and taking part in gigs.
Every family holiday we used to listen to CDs whenever we'd drive around and play Adele, Robbie Williams, specifically the live albums, Mika too.
Who were some of your musical influences growing up?
Some of my favourite musicians who's music I am inspired by are Mimi Webb and Cian Ducrot. Obviously Harry Styles and Sabrina Carpenter too.
Especially Sabrina and Mimi, I love their fun pop girl energy, I just want to channel that.
Do you want to tell us a little bit more about your recent EP?
On 24 April I released my EP Lost in the Dark (Live in Session), which is a collection of songs that I believe aren't based around streams, but instead it's a passion project.
It means so much to me and it sums up who I am as an artist, the music I want to create and my experience of being a student in Leeds.
You're also part of a group called Women in MusicPresents, please can you tell us more about this?
It's a group created during my final year of university that I made with some friends.
We wanted something that focused around the positives and challenges that being a female artist brings, while uplifting each other with no real headliners at each event, instead we all share the spotlight.
Holly alongside Women in MusicPresents line-up at The Attic in Leeds / Credit: The Manc Group
We've noticed that you like to wear a lot of blue, how come?
I've always been obsessed with blue and when I was starting to brand myself as an artist I thought this colour really compliments me.
And honestly royal blue, navy, baby blue, whatever the shade is I love it.
What are some of your career highlights so far?
My first band gig was at the Piece Hall in Halifax where I got the opportunity to support Cian Ducrot and that's where everything really kicked off.
From there I performed at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, where as well as performing, I also got the chance to admire some of pop music's greatest memorabilia.
I was able to do my debut headline at Headrow House and did another headline show at Hyde Park Book Club too.
Rolfe backstage ahead of her Piece Hall supporting slot and the singer pictured underneath The Domino Club neon sign / Credit: Supplied
What does being an artist in the North feel like for you?
Anything is possible. There's something about the North that is so welcoming and it has helped me become my true self as an artist, performing for northern crowds.
I feel so inspired by artists from here and everyone northern as they all have this determination which is so nice to see, watching people chase their dreams.
And finally now we've learnt more about you, who are some Northern artists you love and want to show off?
Lois. She's incredible and has announced a listening party for her new album later this month.
Also The Wranglers, a country group who I got the opportunity to support at their recent gig at Oporto in Leeds. They just make you want to get up and dance.
Thank you Holly for letting us learn a little bit more about your artistry, we're sure that you're on track to claiming your pop princess crown in years to come.
Featured Images - Artist supplied / The Manc Group
Leeds
Leeds city centre set for hundreds of new flats after council agrees sale of ‘prime’ development site
Clementine Hall
It looks like even more new flats could be popping up in Leeds city centre.
The land in question is located near Leeds' Aire Park development, next to The Adelphi Pub in a prime location smack bang in the city centre.
It's looking like over 240 flats could be built on the site after the council has agreed to sell the coveted plot of land to a housing developer.
The current land that is surrounded by heritage assets has been sold by Leeds City Council to property developer Glenbrook.
A planning application from Glenbrook proposed mostly 246 one and two bedroom apartments in a whopping 24 storey development.
Around 20% of the homes would be classified as affordable housing, being rented out at 80% of the current private market rate.
The application will be discussed when the council's City Plans Panel meets next Thursday 14 May.
A council planning officer’s report said: “The emerging proposals present a significant opportunity to regenerate a prominent vacant brownfield site within the city centre.
“The development would deliver a substantial number of new homes, alongside the provision of some employment opportunities.”
A council decision report when selling the plot back in 2022 said: “It is surrounded by heritage assets in an area undergoing rapid regeneration and is widely considered to be a prime plot capable of supporting a high quality residential development.”
Well then Leeds, what do you make of these plans then?
Clementine Hall -
13th June 2023 
