If you love good curry and beer, then this one's definitely for you.
A brand new food and drink festival is coming to Leeds this August, bringing live chef demonstrations, a host of stalls selling all the curries you can dream of, plus a selection of tasty street food dishes and free-flowing craft beer to the city.
Whether you're a fan of the dhansak, saag, korma, jalfrezi, or vindaloo, there's sure to be something for everyone here with the festival promising a ream of different street food traders turning up to cook on the day.
Of course, it goes without saying that Leeds knows what it's doing when it comes to top beer - so we expect to see some of Yorkshire's finest pulling up with their freshest craft brews too.
There'll also be live music, art, and craft events to keep the whole family amused - plus a huge funfair with big and little rides to suit all.
As you tuck into some of the tastiest curries this side of the Pennines, you can enjoy entertainment throughout the day from a host of local and international musicians.
Think bhangra dancers and dhol drummers, steel drums, and samba bands - all bringing the park to life with a rich variety of different music styles.
Take a wander, and you'll find glitter stations, face painting and henna artists to help get you and your group into the festival spirit - as well as interactive dance workshops for those really wanting to get stuck into the day.
There's really so much going on, with the festival also working with local artists on collaborative pieces that will be displayed throughout the park.
The all-day curry and beer festival is set to take over Roundhay Park this summer.
Taking place on 15th August from 11am to 8pm at Roundhay Park, tickets are on sale now priced at £5 for adults and £3 for children aged five to 12. Under fives go free.
Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance, as due to Covid regulations there will be none available on the day.
Meadowhall has just welcomed a brand-new JD Sports Store - and it is absolutely mega.
Trainer and sportswear lovers, this one's for you as JD Sports has just opened the doors to its newest store.
Located in Meadowhall shopping centre on the Lower Level of the High Street, the new store is almost triple its previous size and spans a whopping 29,225 sq ft.
Shoppers can now browse an ever bigger selection of clothing, footwear and sportswear from big brands like Nike, Montirex, New Balance, Adidas and Berghaus just to name a few.
Image: The Sheff
To make your shopping experience even smoother, the new store features self-service tills so you can be in and out within a flash.
To celebrate the opening, Chunkz and Kenny from popular Youtube collective Beta Squad officially opened the store today and held a meet and greet for fans.
Image: The Sheff
And the celebrations don't stop there, as from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August customers can get involved in JD's Spin-to-Win, with the chance to win gift cards, trainers and JD-branded merchandise.
Not only that, but Montirex will be hosting games all-weekend-long.
And if you can't make it that weekend, then do not fear. As on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August, The Crep Protect truck will be rolling into Meadowhall giving out free goodie bags for customers who sign up to JD Status and follow Crep Protect.
Image: The Sheff
Sneaker Throne will also be offering a shoe-cleaning experience, with demonstrations showing customers how to keep their trainers fresh using products available in-store and goodie bags will be on offer which will also include tokens to play the Cop & Flop game.
So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you there for a fresh new fit.
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Georgina Pellant -
7th July 2021 
