A 12-year-old boy from West Yorkshire has died after a tragic accident in a swimming pool in Vietnam.
Young Otis Walder-Robb, from Holmfirth, died on Friday 7 July, with tributes pouring in.
It’s been reported that other children pulled him from the pool and attempts to revive him were made - but Otis died a short while later in hospital.
He had been in Vietnam volunteering at a summer camp teaching children, along with his father Stephen Walder and stepmother Liz Robb, plus his younger sister, Betty.
Tragically, Otis’s biological mother Cathy died from breast cancer at the age of just 33. Stephen’s biological son Reuben also died at just 10 years old, and now he has lost his youngest son in Otis too.
A Crowdfunder has now been set up to pay for Otis’s body to be returned to Thailand, where he lived, and to cover his funeral costs.
Otis Walder Robb, a boy from Yorkshire who died in Vietnam. Credit: Go Fund Me
Tributes have been paid as donations flood in, with £14,000 raised at the time of writing.
One person wrote: “Heartbroken - so incredibly tragic to have lost such a vibrant young man. No words can come close to what hardship you have all gone through. You're so much in our thoughts and here when and if you want us. So immensely sad. All our love to all of you.”
Another donor wrote: “With all our love and support and in rememberance of a truly unique soul.”
The donation page states: “Otis Walder-Robb was 12 years old when he took his last breath at 7.57pm on 7-7-2023. We regret to share that his passing was of sudden consequence from a tragic accident.
“There is grief and deep sorrow amidst the family's hearts, & a growing community is in mourning.
“We wish to use all funding towards the funeral expenses and memorial of Otis, and to cover all travel & health care costs in returning him, his sister Betty, and his parents Steven & Liz, to home soil, so the family and their community can celebrate & hold ceremony for his life.”
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
A new female-founded business has opened in Leeds and it’s a trinket-lover’s paradise
Clementine Hall
Lisa Angel has just opened inside the Victoria Gate and it’s an Aladdin’s Cave full of jewellery, prints, gifts and everything in between.
The best part? It’s a female-founded brand that has chosen our wonderful city for their first Yorkshire site. We absolutely don't blame them.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has gone from strength to strength every since.
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Shoppers can expect beautifully handcrafted jewellery, unique trinkets and wonderful staff who are open to have a natter.
It's the perfect shop for when you don't exactly know what to buy that someone special, just pop in here and you'll be hit with a wave of inspiration immediately.
We could've genuinely spent a good hour in there and come out with a much lighter wallet.
Lisa herself spoke about the opening: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Managing Director James Moody said: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
Daisy Jackson -
13th July 2023 
