The Leeds-Hull rivalry goes way deeper than football, it's now displayed on the 'Welcome to Hull' sign.
It's an open secret that certain counties in Yorkshire like to think they're better than Leeds and whilst we completely disagree, it's funny to think about the unnecessary vendetor that the likes of Sheffield, Hull and other Yorkshire cities have against Leeds.
Now, the people of Hull have taken the rivalry to an unprecedented level after a new 'Welcome to Hull' sign has appeared with mock at our city, reading 'Welcome to Hull: We know we aren't perfect but at least we aren't Leeds'.
BBC News Presenter, Peter Levy was one of the first to spot the mysterious sign and ask the council who put the sign up before sharing his adoration of the sign.
The BBC presenter tweeted, "Bottom line of signs just been put up. Not sure who at @Hullccnews is responsible for this but it’s genius. Love it."
The council have since stated that the sign is suspected to be "a bit of mischievous fun", but that doesn't appear to have stopped Twitter users questioning the sign's authenticity, or why they're desperate to put a downer on Leeds in the first place.
Hull was named the 'Capital of Culture' in 2019. / Image: 43 Clicks North
The responses to the sign have been mixed, fuelling the rivalry of the two cities even further. One user tweeted "When I lived in Sheffield we used to watch Look North for Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, as we refuse to watch the one coming from Leeds", and another jibed "Cool [.] please leave it on there"
Meanwhile, plenty of others jumped to the defence of Leeds, suggesting the sign was in bad taste.
One Twitter user said, " [I] Suggest the people of Kingston Upon the River Hull don't need to have snide remarks defaming another city in order to welcome visitors. No city is perfect, we have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be proud of. Please get the line covered up asap and apologise to Leeds."
'We know we aren't perfect but at least we aren't Leeds. / Image: Peter Levy, Twitter
Other comments included: "I think that is disrespectful. Yes, have great pride in your city but not at the defamation of another" and "Oh come on, surely we're better than that. What a great way to stir up trouble with away fans, visiting our City. What dimwit on our council thought that one up ?The signs need changing anyway, our City is called Kingston-upon-Hull."
Hull City Council have since issued a statement to clarify that the sign was not changed by the council itself and was just a bit of fun by a prankster that's got Yorkshire talking.
Whilst it may all be a bit of banter to Hull, it seems that the sign has sparked more comments about the whether the city should be preferred as Hull or Kingston Upon Hull.
"Please can you put back the rest of the city‘s name. It’s Kingston Upon Hull"
"The people of Hull spoke in a referendum that they wanted Hull over the full Kingston-upon-Hull but let's not talk about referendums as people get a tad touchy."
One of the best-preserved mills in Britain has been taken over by four new owners.
And they've got big plans for the place.
Will Habergham, Terry George, Michael Rothwell and Kirk Allen have taken ownership of Thwaite Mills - a Grade II listed site at Stourton, Leeds, that will start to undergo a full restoration this week, more than two years after the mill closed to the public in April 2024.
The work is expected to take around 12 months and will be carried out alongside volunteers from Friends of Thwaite Mills, the supporters' group the new owners are relaunching as part of the project.
Image: Supplied
No reopening date has been set yet, but early plans include reopening the mill as a working museum, a pub and cafe with canal-side seating, and fully landscaped grounds free for walkers, runners and dog walkers to use.
Not only that, but a programme of free family events is planned and the owners are exploring the return of the craft fairs and car boot sales that the site was once known for.
"Thwaite Mills was saved by its community once before, and it'll be brought back by its community now," said Will Habergham, director of Thwaite Mills.
"We're not going to disappear for a year and come back with a ribbon to cut. We want people watching it happen, turning up, and telling us what they want this place to be."
Built between 1823 and 1825, Thwaite Mills worked first as a flax mill and later produced whiting and paint, operating commercially until 1975, when a broken weir threatened its future. Local volunteers stepped in to save it the following year, and it opened as a museum in 1990, welcoming visitors until it closed in April 2024.
And now, Thwaite Mills is set to enter a brand-new era and you can follow the restoration journey here.
An après-ski themed beer house is opening on Leeds’ Call Lane this October
Clementine Hall
Lederhosen at the ready Leeds, because a new party bar is coming to the city.
Taking over the former Revolución de Cuba venue on Call Lane, the site will close for a major refurbishment before reopening in October as the seventh Barbara’s Bier Haus in the UK.
This isn't your average bar, guests can expect a proper themed experience with dancing bartenders in lederhosen, shot skis, DJs and interactive entertainment alongside beer and cocktail towers, shareable pizzas and wursts bringing the on-the-slopes atmosphere to the city.
Basically, it's time to cancel your upcoming skip trip as Barbara's will be bringing the slopes to you.
Image: Supplied
Russell Quelch, CEO of NEOS Hospitality, said about the opening: “Leeds has a fantastic nightlife scene, so it’s the perfect place for Barbara’s Bier Haus.
"The city is known for its energy and its love of a good night out, and Barbara’s brings something a little different with its après-ski theme, entertainment and big party atmosphere. We’re really excited to bring Barbara’s to Leeds and can’t wait to get the doors open this October.”
Images: Supplied
The upcoming Leeds opening forms part of a wider rollout of Barbara’s Bier Haus across the UK, as NEOS Hospitality continues to expand its core brands following its acquisition of 20 Revolution and Revolución de Cuba venues earlier this year.
Further details on the Leeds opening of Barbara's Bier Haus, including exclusive launch events and entertainment schedules will be announced ahead of October - and we'll of course be bringing you all the details.
Sophie Smith -
13th January 2022 
