A single stroll around Leeds and you can understand why it consistently makes lists of Best Cities to Live in.
Both culturally rich and economically vibrant, the Athens of the North doesn’t exactly need to be told what distincts it from others in terms of appeal, but why not do it anyway? Just in case you were in doubt about the place in which you grew up or are considering a big move to…
WE INVENTED CLUEDO
Well, Murder as it was originally known. Creator Anthony E. Pratt may have grown up in Birmingham, but in 1944 he took the idea for his board game to Waddington’s Games in Leeds. They loved it and five years* later, the rest was history.
*World War II delayed the release date.
HIPPOS ONCE ROAMED THE STREETS
This is mad, isn’t it? Hippos? Down Briggate? Apparently so, yeah.
In 1984, during the construction of the Armley Gyratory, the bones of an ancient hippo dating back 130,000 years were found. It remains one of the city’s greatest discoveries. You can see the thing for yourself at Leeds City Museum.
Leeds
WE ONCE HAD A TRAMLINE
Anyone who lives in Leeds has probably complained about the public transport at some point. Maybe that’s all you do. Calls for a tram system have been gaining popularity over the last decade and rightfully so.
It might anger you to know one has already been and gone. Been there, done that, got the highly-efficient tram across the city.
The transit system opened in October 1891 and used single-decker horse drawn trams until the introduction of steam and electric ones at the turn of the century. It sadly closed in 1959.
WE MADE THE FIRST EVER FILMS
It’s all Hollywood these days. Hollywood this, Hollywood that. But the motion picture has humble origins in, you guessed it, Leeds.
Now it wasn’t the invention of a Loiner, but French artist Louis Le Prince filmed the very first films in Leeds, where he’d lived since 1866. The Roundhay Garden Scene at Oakwood Grange and the Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge (two classics you have to see before you die) were both shot in 1888 and paved the way for every movie since.
WE HAVE THE LONGEST RUNNING WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL IN EUROPE
The Notting Hill Carnival gang love to rub their big street party in the rest of are faces but the reality is, their beloved festival is a paltry imitation of a greater and older northern festival. Shock!
The Leeds West Indian Carnival has been going longer than any other in Europe, actually. Every August bank holiday weekend, Chapeltown puts on the best Caribbean-influenced parade the world has ever seen. And they’ve been doing so since 1967.
If you haven’t been, you’re really missing out.
Trinity Leeds
WE MADE FIZZY DRINKS
Leeds lad Joseph Priestley is one of the most improtant scientists of the 18th century. Why? He was credited with the discovery of oxygen.
His greatest achievement however, came with the invention of carbonated water. His method of infusing water with carbon dioxide gas was eventually nabbed by J.J. Schweppe in the late 18th century to start his world-famous drinks company.
WE HAVE THE LAST GAS-LIT CINEMA IN THE UK
The Hyde Park Picture House has long been a refuge of students and cinema buffs alike. It opened just before the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and continues to draw newcomers in 2021.
If you’re wanting to watch a film, new or old, you could pick worse places than this novelty getaway.
WE STARTED M&S
Alright, you probably knew this one. You should do anyway.
Michael Marks opened up a penny bazaar in Leeds’ Kirkgate Market back in 1884. A decade later, he teamed up with Tom Spencer to expand the business, moving to Boar Lane and then Briggate, where the store remains today.
WE GAVE THE INTERNET TO THE COUNTRY
Leeds? The world wide web? T’internet? Before anyone else? Yep.
In 1998, Leeds produced the UK’s first internet provider, Freeserve. It was later sold to a French company called Wannadoo in 2000 for a WHOPPING £1.65 billion. At the time, Freeserve had accumulated almost 2 million active customers.
So there you have it. Any more we should be aware of? Let us know.
News
Football Focus cancelled by the BBC after more than half a century
In a fairly big bit of British broadcasting news, Football Focus is ending after more than half a century on our screens.
Announced on Thursday, 23 April, the once flagship show and weekly TV guide staple for countless domestic households is set to be cancelled after 52 seasons' worth of coverage.
With BBC Sport confirming the tough decision in a lengthy statement, the long-running show will be taken off the air at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Most programmes like these have seen declining audiences across the board in the era of streaming and digital packages across various platforms, but this is truly the end of an era.
An incredible 52-year journey comes to an end.
Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season.
First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have… pic.twitter.com/bmHQqQdf6J
An official social media post reads: "An incredible 52-year journey comes to an end. Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season. "First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have worked on it over the years and, of course, the audience. The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s football coverage for decades, providing fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
"But changing audience behaviours means fans are now increasingly consuming football content in different ways, and we need to respond appropriately as we face difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent."
Second only really to Match of the Day (MotD), which first began a whole decade prior to its once equally popular spin-off, Gary Lineker, Manish Bhasin, Alex Scott and others have all enjoyed varying periods hosting the regular weekend watch.
While even MotD has seen steadily dipping viewing figures, not just following the Lineker departure/saga, but ever since YouTube highlights and the social media era.
They go on to add: "Fans are accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand viewing, and as viewing habits continue to evolve, it is right that BBC Sport adapts how it brings football coverage to the widest audiences across television, radio, online and to its extensive social platforms. BBC Sport boasts a strong football rights portfolio and is set to significantly expand its digital output this year, growing content across BBC platforms, as well as a bold new slate of exclusive shows on YouTube.
"Featuring fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content tailored for digital audiences, the expansion will bring fans closer to the game than ever before, delivering more high-quality, accessible and engaging football coverage at scale. We will release further details on these plans in the coming months."
Will you miss it? Perhaps more to the point, do you still watch Match of the Day, Soccer Saturday and the like on terrestrial telly here in the UK?
Farmer Copleys bans dogs from popular Tulip Festival after tragic death of beloved pet
Daisy Jackson
Farmer Copleys, which is behind the popular Tulip Festival attraction, has spoken out after the tragic death of a dog who visited last weekend.
The family-run farm has decided to ban dogs (with the exception of service dogs) from its site, after a visitor reported that her beloved springer spaniel Bobby had died just hours after attending the Tulip Festival.
It's believed that Bobby had eaten a tulip bulb or flower, which can be deadly to dogs.
Farmer Copleys has now shared a statement about the incident, writing that the team are 'deeply saddened' by the animal's death.
They stressed that while the exact cause of his death remains unknown, they 'do not wish to take any further risks' and will no longer be permitting dogs at the Tulip Festival.
"The safety and wellbeing of all our visitors and their pets is something we take extremely seriously," Farmer Copleys wrote in a statement shared today.
Customers who are no longer able to attend since the change are welcome to get in touch with the farm directly to discuss a refund.
And assistance dogs are still welcome, but owners will need to sign a disclaimer before taking them into the Tulip Festival.
Farmer Copleys tulip festival is one of the most popular events in Yorkshire every springDogs will no longer be allowed at the Tulip Festival
Farmer Copleys wrote: "We are deeply saddened by the recent incident involving a visitor’s dog following a visit to our Tulip Festival, and our thoughts remain with the owner at this difficult time.
"We must stress while the exact cause of this incident remains unknown, many flowers and plants in outdoor environments can pose risks to dogs if ingested, particularly the bulb, and we do not wish to take any further risk.
"The safety and wellbeing of all our visitors and their pets is something we take extremely seriously. As a precautionary measure, we have made the difficult decision to no longer permit dogs at our Tulip Festival for the remainder of the season.
"In addition, this has further reinforced our decision to close the pick your own area for the remainder of the festival.
"We understand this may be disappointing for some visitors. Any customers who have booked and are now unable to attend due to this change are welcome to contact us regarding a refund at info@farmercopleys.co.uk.
"We are undertaking a full investigation and make a decision on 2027’s season in due course."
Josh Teal -
24th May 2021 
