Bernadette Shackleton from Yeadon is one of ten semi-finalists.
The upcycle crafter from Leeds spent three months creating an eco 'packet jacket' out of hundreds of crisp packets.
The jacket has been selected as one of the final ten contestants for Eventbrite's Hobby Hero competition.
Image: Supplied (Big Bang)
Eventbrite’s Hobby Hero competition launched in May to find Britain’s greatest hobbyist and help them share their pastime with others in an effort to get the nation connected again.
Bernadette spends her time finding beauty all around and is a big advocate for recycling, but the idea for the 'packet jacket' was born from lockdown.
Having started collecting used crisp packets with the intention of recycle them, she began her ambitious upcycling project during lockdown with her friend Heidi, and spent three months and countless hours creating the masterpiece.
Image: Supplied (Big Bang)
The competition winner will receive a £5,000 prize – £2,500 in cash and £2,500 worth of support from Eventbrite’s experts to help share her passion with others, allowing Bernadette will be able to share her design and recycling skills alike with likeminded individuals.
Bernadette said: “I love giving a new lease of life to something that has been thrown away. When I go to the tip, it breaks my heart that so many things of value have been discarded as landfill. A crisp packet takes seven years to degrade so I’m glad we’ve found a new use for them.
“My packet-jacket started out as a silly pastime to keep me busy in lockdown. I never expected it to look so amazing or get me in the semi-finals of this competition. Even my son says it looks amazing, which is high praise indeed!”
Regardless of the outcome, Bernadette has big plans for the jacket, including presenting the garment to hundreds of fashion-conscious individuals at London Fashion Week.
Image: Supplied (Big Bang)
Bernadette continues: “A fashion designer friend of mine is hoping to help us get the jacket to London Fashion Week. It would be amazing to get it noticed. It really does look striking.
“For Heidi and I, it’s been a labour of love. We would put the music on, clear the table and spend hours on our intricate design. It’s been really therapeutic and enjoyable. I can’t wait to start on our next design.”
During several lockdowns, Eventbrite saw thousands either continue to pursue their interests or take up new hobbies by joining online workshops and classes.
Image: Unsplash
Eventbrite’s Sebastian Boppert says: “The entries we received ranged from the more traditional to the weird and wonderful. We received lots of craft entries, but few as original and creative as Bernadette’s crisp packet art. You can tell from the photos how much dedication it took. We also love that her hobby is a sustainable pastime. I wish her all the best as one of our semi-finalists.
“Our final Hobby Hero winner will be someone with enthusiasm and dedication, who wants to share it with others – and maybe even earn some money with it. A strong entry like Bernadette’s certainly fits the bill.”
The Eventbrite Hobby Hero competition will continue into the summer as a panel of judges analyse each of the ten semi-finalists before announce the winner at the end of July.
Feature Image- Supplied (Big Bang)
News
BBC Introducing announces massive Leeds takeover celebrating the UK’s best emerging artists
BBC Introducing and Leeds promoter Futuresound have announced a city-wide takeover this November as part of their ‘Introducing Live’ event.
Taking place in ten towns and cities across the UK, Introducing Live will hit Leeds on Saturday 28 November and showcase some of the best emerging artists in the UK today.
Not only that, but it will be held in some of the city's most iconic independent music venues including The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall and Oporto.
The 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe will be home to an 'Introducing on Radio 1' showcase featuring a packed programme including the Egyptian born, Manchester based alt-pop artist Nxdia, Lincolnshire indie-pop quintet Cherryholt, dark pop artist Precious Pepala, Scunthorpe singer-songwriter Will Parker and many more.
Meanwhile, over at Belgrave Music Hall, Emily Pilbeam from Introducing's Mixtape on 6 Music will showcase black country duo GANS, the local 7-piece project Group A.D., underground group holybones and more.
Oporto, famous for hosting some of the biggest names in music during the start of their careers, will host a dedicated 'Introducing Rock' takeover with Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe, with a line-up featuring Nottingham-formed rock duo Alt Blk Era, goth-grunge alt group Venus Grrrls, indie-pop BRIT School alumna jo from school, post-hardcore band Hollow Bloom, and Sheffield-based electro-metalcore band DUSTHOUSE.
Joe Hubbard, promoter at Futuresound Group, said: “We’re really excited to be working with BBC Introducing to bring this event to Leeds, for the first time! It feels a very fitting partnership after our partnership on Live at Leeds together over the years.
"Between headliners Nxdia, Alt Blk Era, Gans and Jaguar, I feel there’s something for everyone. I’m also really proud of the local offering we’ve got, with strong representation from BBC Introducing Leeds & Sheffield across the bill. There’s been months of work behind the scenes to make it happen, so it’s a great feeling to finally release the line-up to the world. See you in November!”
Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am and you can get yours here.
Famous Leeds pub to finally reopen after four years – and it’s getting an Irish makeover
Clementine Hall
One of Leeds’ best-known boozers is set to reopen after four years.
But, it's going to look a little bit different.
The George on Great George Street has been closed since 2022, leaving a popular spot in the city centre sitting empty for years.
But now, the historic Leeds local is getting a new lease of life, with plans to reopen its doors as an Irish pub.
The George will be transformed into 'The Galway Girl' following a huge £430,000 investment by Star Pubs and West Yorkshire pub operators TL Inns.
Work on the pub has already begun and is set to reopen in mid-November. The investment is expected to create 15 jobs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Galway Girl will be TL Inns’ second Irish pub. Its first, also called The Galway Girl, opened in Pontefract in 2024.
The investment will see a complete overhaul of the pub’s interior and exterior, creating a traditional, pared-back Victorian-style city pub. The small courtyard garden will also be upgraded with new Murphy’s-themed barrel-style tables, chairs and planters.
Inside, the pub will feature a two-bar layout, with one bar on the ground floor and a second bar and function area in the basement. The basement bar will also be available for private functions and the pub will also offer barista-style coffee, brunches and all-day food.
Tony Lumb says: “We’ve had tremendous success with our first Irish pub, The Galway Girl in Pontefract. I have every confidence that the new one will be equally popular, breathing new life into a derelict building. The location and bones of the pub are great. It will be really lovely once it has had investment and a sympathetic refurbishment.
“Authentic Irish pubs, as opposed to theme pubs, are having a moment. People want the craic, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and live entertainment that they associate with a proper Irish pub.”
Sophie Smith -
5th July 2022 
