The Yorkshire accent has been named the best in the UK, proving once and for all that there's no better place to be born and raised than God's Own Country.
With its roots in Old English and Old Norse, we’ve always thought that the Yorkshire dialect was pretty damn special. Of course, we’re biased, but now there’s some new evidence to back us up.
A new study by Wordfinder WordTips has found that of 40 dialects in the UK, the most popular hails from Yorkshire.
Specifically, Sheffield - but we're still taking this as an all-round Yorkshire win, especially considering how many southern places have appeared on the new list.
Using data from Twitter that examined social media user's posts, WordTips analysed a total of 528,600 tweets and used an AI algorithm to determine the positivity of each one in order to find the most loved UK and international accents.
The algorithm calculated the proportion of positive tweets about each accent by evaluating the possibility of a text being positive, negative, or neutral.
Coming in at first place was Sheffield, representing Yorkshire, with nearly forty percent (39.9%)of tweets about the accent being considered positive. No doubt celebs like Jamie Cook, Dominic West, and The Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner will have done a lot to promote the tones of the steel city.
In second, behind Sheffield's Yorkshire tones, was Wiltshire with a 39.5 percent positivity rating, followed by the universally popular Geordie accent. After that came Nottingham, Somerset, and Derry, followed by the Lancashire accent in seventh place for positivity.
The top ten most popular UK accents were then rounded up by Cardiff at number 8, Essex at number 9 and the Bristol accent at number 10.
Meet Edie, the lovely Shar Pei at Dogs Trust Leeds who has had 41 first dates at but still hasn't found her 'forever' home.
Edie is a beautoful 7-year-old Shar Pei who has been waiting to find her forever home longer than any other dog at Dogs Trust Leeds.
She joined the charity back in 2020, after the death of her owner.
Edie has spent over 4,000 days at the charity and has been adopted 41 times, but is still yet to find her forever home.
We're not crying, you are.
Edie is described as an 'amazing dog' who can be'very shy initially but with a little time and plenty of treats she will soon be nudging you for a bit of fuss!'.
Image: Dogs Trust Leeds
Dogs Trust Leeds states: "She’s also worried by other dogs, but she’s proven that in a home where she won’t see them up close, she is a dream. She's been for sleepovers to her handlers home and she was the perfect house guest! Very relaxed, fully housetrained, and happy to just chill out. We know that in a peaceful adult only home where she’ll be the only pet she will thrive."
"Edie is the most loving and gentle natured dog and has come such a long way since first arriving in our care. Her handlers all adore her due to her zest for life. She's super affectionate and loves plenty of snuggles!
"She enjoys getting out for walkies or playing with her toys and she's absolutely smashed her training. Off-lead playtime is another favourite hobby for her so she will need to have a secure garden to play in. So if you’re looking for a very loving companion, you have a quiet and predictable routine and have time to gradually settle her in, add our Edie to your favourites now!"
If you'd like to welcome Edie into your home, then find out more here.
The Maccabees announce full line-up for huge Leeds show at Kirkstall Abbey
Clementine Hall
Indie heroes The Maccabees are set to headline Live at Kirkstall Abbey, and they'll be joined by a few others.
The renowned indie rock quintet The Maccabees have shared a stacked lineup for their only northern headline show this year as part of the Live at Kirkstall Abbey concert series.
Joining them are Newcastle Alt-Rock legends Maxïmo Park, eclectic art rock fourpiece Everything Everything, psychedelic indie rock stalwarts The Mystery Jets led by the inimitable Blaine Harrison and fast rising singer/songwriter/storyteller Fiona-Lee.
The Maccabees’ eagerly anticipated return in 2024 got indie music lovers across the country very excited indeed, headlining All Points East and Glastonbury’s Park Stage, the band’s return was met with enthusiastic crowds.
Building upon that reception, The Maccabees are now set to inspire similar scenes across the country as they head out on a major outdoor summer tour in July including their only northern date at Leeds’ Kirkstall Abbey.
Maccabees guitarist Felix White says, “The year we’ve just had was so special to all of us, and so unexpected, that it has put some momentum in everyone collectively …. and who wouldn’t want to do all that again”
Also announced for this year's Live at Kirkstall Abbey is The Streets, performing their critically acclaimed album A Grand Don’t Come for Free alongside reunited Leeds indie heroes The Sunshine Underground.
The debut ‘Above All Else’ event headlined by Loyle Carner will be taking place and the return of Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival featuring Dara Ó’Brien, Jason Manford, Lucy Beamount and more.
The Maccabees will be performing at Kirkstall Abbey on Friday 31 July 2026 and you can get your tickets here.
Georgina Pellant -
24th July 2023 
