'The best and buzziest city in the north' is right here in Leeds.
It's official.
Leeds has come up top as the best place to live in the north and northeast by The Times.
In the annual 'best places to live list', our city was recognised for its 'youthful energy' and it's opportunities to thrive that aren't limited by age, or position on the property ladder: "the chance to be rich and enriched, to live a good life on a good salary".
The salary and career-climbing opportunities are quickly pointed to in the article, nodding to some of the big names that have set up in Leeds, making the city the UK’s biggest financial and legal centre outside London, and a true 'northern powerhouse' with the 'best-paying jobs in the provinces, ahead of Bristol, Cambridge and Manchester'.
And in terms of things to do, The Times recognised the limitless potential of Leeds, naming everything from Opera North, ("the only city outside London to have its own theatres, ballet and opera house"), the Royal Armouries and the Henry Moore Institute in the city centre, before praising our 'funky neighbourhoods' in the suburbs.
Chapel Allerton is a Sunday Times favourite, and has featured on its best places to live list for a number of years, but The Times praised the suburb here for "its tarted-up terraces and the award-winning cheesemonger George & Joseph"; before moving on to highlight Headingley, "where young families dodge students on the Otley Run (two and a half miles of pubs and bars, usually in fancy dress)," as well as Meanwood, Oakwood and Roundhay, "where 1920s and 1930s semis back on to shopping parades and well-kept parks."
Other notable mentions for Leeds will come as no surprise for locals: Kirkgate Market, the Corn Exchange and Trinity were all noted as top shopping spots whilst Salvo's and The Vinyl Whistle in Headingley; Tandem in Headingley and The Little Bookshop in Chapel Allerton all make ideal locations to pass the afternoon away in the outskirts of the city.
The Times noted that towns and cities across the UK were chosen this year for their ability to suit everyone: "whether they’re first-time buyers looking for city life, families seeking schools, healthy activities and green space, or active downsizers looking to enjoy the best of the great outdoors".
Previous national winners, including nearby York, that have "high house prices driven by high demand" did not make the cut this year, and instead the judges searched for "improving locations with a strong sense of community rather than high house prices driven by high demand."
Whilst Leeds was the overall best in the north, there were additional places in West Yorskhire that received a favourable mention from the judges: including Saltaire "A fancy, funky and functional village vibe within commuting distance of Leeds and Bradford" and Boston Spa "Move over Harrogate and put a spring in your step — this village’s Costcutter offers fine wines".
In case you missed it, a bakery in Bramley has received lots of attention recently after people have sampled some of its impressive bread and pastries before raving about it online.
Since then, Ruth, the mastermind behind it all, has generated queues from her summer house-turned bakehouse with people coming from far and wide to sample her flaky favourites and doughy delights.
Baking for more than 10 years and opening The Fat Pigeon just outside of Leeds city centre three years ago, there's no denying that the pastries and more produced here are some of the best.
This micro-bakery has a mighty menu and although Ruth's personal tastes might lean more savoury, the menu heavily favours sugary baked goods.
Anyone who loves a good sweet treat will be glad to know there's croissants, traybakes, cinnamon buns and the star-studded kouign-amann, a French-originating buttery pastry that covers all bases as it's sugary, sweet and slightly salty - heaven in baked form.
Ruth posing with a pigeon statue alongside some of her delicious golden creations / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
There's plenty more dough-based delights that cater to the savoury palate too. Think sourdough loaves, baguettes and focaccia that's oozing with perfectly paired herbs and generous amounts of oil.
What makes this place even more special is the fact that not only the products being created and consumed made by a Leeds local, most if not all of the offerings are made using Yorkshire produce.
Ruth has made sure to keep local produce at the heart of all her bakes with Met's in Farsley who providing cheese, Whiteley's contributing fresh vegetables like parsley and rhubarb, flour from East Yorkshire's own Stringers and The Organic Dales for any dairy items - it really doesn't get more Yorkshire than this.
Enough from us, social media user's are singing this bakery's praises too as one commented "Delicious. Delicious. Delicious" and another going as far to say, "Beats every pastry I had in Copenhagen".
The sourdough loaves and bloomers at The Fat Pigeon are homemade and look as good as they taste / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
Hopefully you're reading this on a Friday or early Saturday morning, otherwise all I can do is apologise for tempting you with all this bakery's homemade golden goodness so far in advance.
The Fat Pigeon is open from 9am to 12pm every Saturday meaning you can stock up on some of Leeds' best bread and pastries to tie you over until the next weekend, depending on your will power.
Pioneering Bradford artist David Hockney has passed away aged 88
Clementine Hall
David Hockney, one of Britain's most influential and recognisable artists, has sadly died.
Born in Bradford in 1937, David Hockney built a career spanning more than six decades and became one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.
He was best known for his vibrant paintings, from the iconic swimming pools of Los Angeles to the sweeping landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy.
And of course you can't forget the adorable paintings of his sausage dogs Stanley and Boodgie.
This morning on Friday 12 June, it was sadly announced that David Hockney had passed away - just one month prior of his 89th birthday.
Admired by critics and the public alike, Hockney's work was exhibited around the world and attracted record-breaking prices, cementing his place as one of the defining artists of the modern era.
Most recently, his incredibly immersive exhibition 'Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)' was a hit across the country, proving his work still resonated with the people of today.
His work at Salts Mill has remained in exhibit for years, including his special digital drawings that he did on his iPad.
His death marks the end of a truly extraordinary career, but his influence on British culture and contemporary art will endure for years to come.
A true West Yorkshire icon that will be missed by many from across the globe. RIP David.
Sophie Smith -
15th March 2024 
