Northern has announced it will name a train after motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner and rugby league legend Rob Burrow.
How lovely is that?
The operator is now working closely with Rob Burrow's family and the MND Association to create bespoke artwork for the train that will pay tribute to him and raise awareness of the disease.
The trail is due to be unveiled at a West Yorkshire station later this year, welcoming tens of thousands of people as it travels hundreds of miles every single day.
Northern Rail agreed on a partnership with the wonderful MND Association back in June with the staff pledging to raise thousands of pounds for research to help find a cure for the life-shortening condition.
Northern has launched a ‘7 weeks of summer campaign’, asking its 7,000 employees to take part in a range of fundraising activities.
These include seven walks - covering a total of 70 miles - between towns and cities in the North which are home to Super League sides.
Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “When we were asked to name a train after Rob, we agreed it was a fantastic opportunity to honour his legacy.
“With the support of his family and the MND Association, we are now working to make this happen. So many of us here at Northern were inspired by Rob’s indomitable spirit and his commitment to helping others suffering with this cruel disease.
“That’s why we want to pay tribute to this great man, help raise awareness of MND and funding which can be used to help find a cure.”
Jo Coker, the MND Association’s director of income generation, said: “Rob was an inspiration both on and off the pitch – a man who showed real courage in sharing his diagnosis and opening up a conversation about motor neurone disease which continues to this day.
"For that, and for everything his family has done, and continues to do to support us, we are truly grateful. As one of the region’s most famous sons, naming a new train after him is a fantastic way to honour Rob’s life and legacy.
"As it travels through towns and cities, we hope it will spark many more conversations about Rob and about MND.”
Leeds is set to become one big fat coffee festival this September.
Born in Manchester, Slurpfest is a much-love celebration of coffee that is coming to the city for the first time ever.
Working alongside the Slurpfest founders, North Star Coffee Roasters and headline sponsors Oatly and Indie Coffee Guide are bringing the festival to Leeds on Saturday 26 September with over 30 venues already signed up to take part.
The festival is designed to showcase the incredible talent, creativity and community behind Leeds’ thriving independent coffee scene, bringing together independent cafés, coffeenprofessionals, roasters and coffee lovers for a weekend of tastings, workshops, events and experiences.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
“Leeds has an amazing independent coffee scene and we want to celebrate the people who make it so special,” said Holly Kragiopoulos. “Slurpfest is about bringing the whole coffee community together and turning the entire city into one big festival. Best of all, so many of the events are completely free, making it super accessible for everyone to get involved and try something new.”
Unlike a traditional festival held in one location, Slurpfest Leeds will take over the whole city, with coffee shops and venues across Leeds hosting their own events throughout the weekend.
We're talking tastings, workshops, a city-wide coffee trail, an opening and closing party as well as a full day of coffee workshops, talks and experiences at North Star’s Coffee Hub at Leeds Dock.
“We’re super excited to see the city of Leeds take on Slurp Fest and make it their own” said Nat, Slurpfest Co-Founder.
Tickets for individual events are expected to be released from August, with the full festival programme announced soon.
A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.
It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.
Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.
Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.
Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.
For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.
And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.
They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.
Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.
Clementine Hall -
23rd July 2025 
