IL MAGAZINE - WINTER 24

I NDE P E NDENT LIFE YO R K S H I R E

LEEDS YORK YORKSHIRE Wi n te r 2 0 2 2

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F A M I L Y

S T O R Y

Yasmin and Amber Le Bon wear ASHOKA

WINTER WELCOME

The festive season is upon us, so let’s get the party started. At Christmas and New Year - and throughout the winter - there is much to warm up with in Yorkshire. Whether celebrating out or cosying in, this issue of Independent Life magazine will showcase the best seasonal food and drink, the array of local entertainment and culture, and Yorkshire’s finest shopping and lifestyle choices. Read on to reveal the real winter wonders in Leeds, York and across Yorkshire.

John Barran - Editor Sarah Laycock - Sales

john@independentlife.co.uk sarah@independentlife.co.uk

COVER Camo Flower (2021) by Asim Khan: A direct image transfer from flower waste on to an organic leather canvas. Inspired by Asim Khan’s early years growing up in Leeds. See full feature Converging Cultures - Page 68 - 77

Contents FOOD & DRINK

8-12 14-15 16-19 20-25 26-27 28-31 32-35 38-41

CHEESE PLEASE The Courtyard Dairy recommends Yorkshire cheese to pair with fruitcake.

SEASON’S CHEERS Favourite winter drinks from West Yorkshire’s bars.

YES CHEF The story of chef John Topham of The Alice Hawthorn.

SUSTAINABLE SPIRITS Behind the scenes at Cooper King Distillery.

TASTES LIKE HERE The best local seasonal produce with Richard ‘Dickie’ Jack.

ALL THE TRIMMINGS Leeds greengrocers showcase in-demand fruit & veg.

BREAKING BREAD The cultural flavours of Leeds’ Anand Sweets.

LIGHT MY FIRE Coals cooking and traditional farming with Swaledale Butchers.

ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE 42-43 44-45 46-49 52-53 56-61 62-65

WHAT’S ON Our pick of Christmas events across Yorkshire.

INTO THE WOODS Festive fun at the stunning Castle Howard.

CREATE IN LEEDS The creative alumni of Leeds Arts University.

THEATRE SEASON Inside Yorkshire’s magnificent array of theatres.

ONE OF A KIND The 254 year history of The Leeds Library.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE Henna Angus of Paramount Music reveals her ones to hear.

SHOPPING & LIFESTYLE 68-77 80-83 84-87 88-95 100-102 106-113

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CONVERGING CULTURES Asim Khan representing cultures through fashion.

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE Stylish stays at unique boutiques in and around York.

TALK OF THE TOWN A photographic tour of Armley Town Street by Mat Dale.

WE’VE HAD OUR UPS AND DOWNS The fall and rise of Redline Specialist Cars.

TAKING BACK OUR LAND Leeds Coppice Workers on the importance of restoring our woodlands.

YORKSHIRE TRIPPING A trip to the Yorkshire towns of Haworth and Saltaire.

HHHH ‘A FA B U L O U S F E S T I V E BALLET’ D A I LY T E L E G R A P H

THE

NUTCRACKER A BA L L ET BY DAV I D NI XON CB E

Tue 20 December 2022 – Sat 7 January 2023 Box Office 0113 243 0808 leedsheritagetheatres.com Production supported by Audio described performance available.

Registered charity no. 259140. Company registration no. 947096.

Matthew Koon and Rachael Gillespie in The Nutcracker. Photo Guy Farrow.

CHEESE PLEASE "A piece of fruit cake without cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze" Created with the ethos to sell only the best cheese available from the British Isles, and specialising in championing and supporting the remaining independent farmhouse cheese-makers producing great British farmhouse cheese, The Courtyard Dairy concentrates on working with small individual farmers and cheesemakers that still make their cheese by hand with milk from their own herds, in order to get the best depth of flavour and to encourage traditional and sustainable farming practices.

The Courtyard Dairy's cheese range is limited - just 35 cheeses, with each one selected to be special, different and pack an amazing punch of flavour - a stand out of specialist cheese. An experience, taste and enjoyment of ‘proper’ cheese.

These rare, hard-to-find cheeses are expertly aged on-site in The Courtyard Dairy’s own cheese maturing room near Settle to add an extra depth of flavour.

It is then sold to the general public via their specialist shop, mail order and also supplied to top restaurants in the North of England.

The maturing is overseen by renowned cheese ‘affineur’, Andy Swinscoe, who learnt his trade from France’s most prestigious cheese maturers as well as working in top cheese shops in London and Bath. The Courtyard Dairy's emphasis on quality has been recognised by the World Cheese Awards and the Farm Shop and Deli Awards, where they were named Cheesemonger of the Year.

So, as we approach the time of year when winter cheeses and Christmas cakes come together, we asked for the expertise of Andy Swinscoe to recommend some of the finest Yorkshire cheese to pair with your favourite piece of fruitcake.

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Old Roan The fresh, vibrant acidity to these styles matches really well to the dense heady flavours of a traditional fruitcake. They are farm-made by hand using raw milk and traditionally cloth-bound - the way Wensleydale used to be. Old Roan is made in the town of Wensley (you don’t get any more Wensleydale than that) by hand by third generation dairy farmers Sam and Ben Spence. They branched out from the family farm to set up by themselves and make an example of pre-war Wensleydale, crumbly and light. 6 weeks old.

Stonebeck Stonebeck is made by Andrew & Sally Hattan and their 20 Northern Shorthorn cows, this native breed is kept out on traditional Yorkshire Dales hay meadows. Making a Dales recipe only in the summer, the native cow breed and rich diversity of grasses in the hay meadows give the cheese a supple soft texture and complex rich deep flavours.

Historically cheese was made here, and there are texts from the 1800s mentioning the tradition of eating cheese and Christmas cake (for Christmas Day breakfast of all things) in Nidderdale where this cheese is made.

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Leeds Blue Italian-born Mario moved to Yorkshire in 2001 to learn English, falling in love he soon settled and set about making Italian style cheese in Yorkshire. Leeds Blue has a rich creaminess and piquant flavour with the best influences from both areas. The softness and sharpness offsets the sweetness of the fruit in a dense heady fruitcake.

Hebden Goat Hebden Goat is made by Gillian Clough in West Yorkshire.

Made to a French recipe from Gillian’s 12 hand-milked goats, it is fresh, herbaceous and rich. Goats cheese and fig are perfect bedfellows, so will go great with any dense fig based cake - the Spanish make a great example!

Words: Andy Swinscoe, @thecourtyarddairy thecourtyarddairy.co.uk

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More than just meat and cheese!

friends of ham leeds - ilkley

SEASON’S CHEERS

As Christmas approaches, pubs and bars everywhere are getting us in the mood with festive drinks. These eleven Concept Taverns across West Yorkshire shared their favourite with us for this season’s cheers.

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The Malt Brewhouse - A boozy Hot Chocolate with Baileys; all the comfort of the season’s favourite hot drink, with the kick and the enjoyment of a generous measure of this season’s best liquor.

Market Square Tavern - You can’t beat a glass of fizz, and a Friday bottle of Prosecco in December.

Hawkhill Tavern - The JD apple fizz has the warming flavours of apple whiskey, with black raspberry and topped with a winter sparkle of Prosecco.

Parkside Tavern - You can’t go wrong with a classic Long Island Iced Tea to start the Christmas party.

Pinnacle Beer & Gin Hall - Pear & Brandy Punch. A tasty winter tipple with brandy & red wine - like Sangria but made for winter!

The Shed Bar - A warming whisky. The selection is enviable, which go down best of all on a festive wintery night, with many unique ones to try. We will let you decide which suits your palate best!

Williams Beer & Gin House - The many comforting gins - from an orange spiced gin to a mulberry gin for that extra feel of warmth in the wintery months. Or a pint of Guinness, even better in the colder seasons.

The Great Northern Brewhouse - Spiced Cranberry Sunset, a tasty sweet treat, and on offer!

The Rosse - Sloe Gin & Lemon Tonic; we love a G&T and this is a delightful festive twist.

Northern Snooker Centre - A classic Coca Cola, an icon of Christmas.

Granville’s Beer & Gin House - From everybody’s favourite winter warmers - including mulled wine and the classic winter bramble - it has to be our Yule Valhalla, 4.5% warming alcoholic ginger beer. Christmas in a glass!

Words and Photos: Concept Taverns concepttaverns.co.uk

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YES CHEF The Alice Hawthorn is a charming country pub in the idyllic village of Nun Monkton between York and Harrogate. The food served in its restaurant has been elevated by chef John Topham, who manages The Alice Hawthorn with his wife Claire. John tells his story from teenage apprentice to head chef, and describes the positive transformation of their inn.

My passion for food started as a schoolboy when I got a part time job at a great local restaurant. They did all the outside catering at top society events including having the contract for Headingley Cricket Ground where we had to do 5000 lunches in an hour. The buzz and excitement sowed a seed.

I left school at 16 and was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship with Ray and Jane Carter at The Sportman’s Arms in Wath. Ray was an inspirational teacher and I not only got classic kitchen training but also an education in all aspects of the business. When I started out it was before the era of celebrity chefs - I was influenced by my own experiences, as well as chefs like Alastair Little, Simon Hopkinson and Raymond Blanc.

From there, I did a brief stint in America as a private chef, and then on my return I was extremely fortunate to be taken on as head chef at the Angel Inn at Hetton by Denis Watkins. He was my mentor and became a great friend working alongside him as his business partner for two decades. He taught me an enormous amount and together we created one of the first gastropubs: The Angel Inn partnership bought the General Tarleton at Ferrensby. After 20 years there, it was time to pursue a new challenge - at The Alice Hawthorn.

The Alice Hawthorn is a much-loved country pub with 12 bedrooms, set in the beating heart of Nun Monkton, and has attracted a loyal following from both locals and visitors. There are many walks to be enjoyed from The Alice, and once guests have worked up an appetite, we’re ready to serve them a celebratory drink and well-deserved meal by the fire.

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Over recent years, we have faced challenges with socioeconomic changes that adversely impacted the sustainability of pubs across the whole country. The Alice Hawthorn needed to increase its appeal to a broader audience and attract a wider catchment of customers by expanding its offering and by transforming and extending the last remaining Grade II listed pub in the village, into an inn.

We created new rooms at The Alice, bringing in more tourism to the local area. This was to become solvent long term and to continue to provide the community with a shared social space.

Social and economic sustainability is so crucial to the health and well-being of any rural community.

My aim in the restaurant is to create delicious and imaginative dishes with a strong Yorkshire influence, using local and seasonal produce, which is what the kitchen serves here. I enjoy working with a great small team with a very positive attitude. We are always busy experimenting and planning together which makes each day interesting.

Those are the best aspects of being a chef: the team work, collective achievements, and everyone being creative. It’s why as a chef you commit to the worst parts - the pressure and the physical toll, missing social events for it. Great feedback from guests at the restaurant makes it all worthwhile.

Words: John Topham Photos: The Alice Hawthorn @thealicehawthorn

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SUSTAINABLE SPIRITS Cooper King is a sustainable distillery in Sutton-on-the-Forest just outside York. Chris Jaume, who runs Cooper King with his partner Abbie Neilson, tells us the unique story behind this fascinating business.

The idea for this business was born from an adventure to Australia.

9 years ago I was a chartered architect in Leeds and Abbie was a scientific researcher for Leeds University. We had studied for many years to get those positions, yet our jobs felt unfulfilling.

So, we decided to disrupt our lives by quitting our jobs and buying one-way tickets to Australia, with no plans whatsoever! Soon after landing on the remote island of Tasmania, we stumbled across a small distillery that had just won the accolade of producing the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky. We ended up falling in love with what we found.

Here was an island full of distilleries focused on flavour and provenance, rather than volume and reach, and were achieving international acclaim because of it. They inspired in us an absolute dedication to craftsmanship, the importance of honesty and

Embracing this turned out to be the best decision we ever made.

transparency, and reinforced our love of adventure.

It gave us the freedom to connect with our adventurous sides and time to explore what we really wanted from life, and gave us the courage to follow through our new-found vision. We spent two years away learning the craft before returning to Yorkshire to self-build our own distillery!

We crowd-funded the distillery in 2017 and have grown far quicker than anticipated. Our sustainable ethos has been the driving force behind this. 2 years ago we announced production of England’s first carbon-negative gins; since then, interest has exploded! None of this would have been possible without the 500+ backers.

Producing flavour-driven, sustainable drinks has always been at the core of what we do, because we believed from the outset that drinking good spirits needn’t cost the Earth. With global warming and its damaging effects becoming ever more present, the actions of both businesses and consumers affects the health of the planet, and we are creating sustainable products for those people wishing to reduce their own environmental impact. Part of Circular Yorkshire, we strive to stop waste, improve efficiency, and look after people and the planet.

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A focus on sustainability will be critical to the continued success of the drinks industry. Whilst we are a tiny part, our work is having a far-reaching, positive impact. We’ve been invited to share our knowledge at a series of events: university talks, distilling expos, the inaugural Yorkshire Climate Conference, and even a presentation to members of European Parliament; live appearances on Sky TV and BBC radio, print coverage in national and local press, and great stories in trade publications. The more of us, both businesses and consumers, raise awareness and take action now, the faster we’ll see change.

As well as creating England’s first carbon-negative gin - where every bottle removes 1kg more CO from the atmosphere than they emit - there are many other green actions. In 2018 we introduced a gin refill scheme, whereby customers bring their empty bottles back to the distillery, reducing landfill and saving money off a new bottle. A clever origami-style cardboard postal box developed with a local manufacturer has eliminated the need for plastic packing materials, and lightweight bottles require less raw materials and decreases transport emissions.

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For every bottle of gin sold, 1 square metre of native broadleaf woodland is planted in Yorkshire, thanks to our charity partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT). Cooper King gin bottles carry the 1% for the Planet logo on their neck tag, which means we formally pledge to donate 1% of gin sales to YDMT, and actually exceed that by donating over 2.5%. So far, 20,000 square metres of woodland have been planted with YDMT. Cold-distilling our gins, using efficient and innovative vacuum stills, means we use just 10% of the energy required to run a traditional gin still. We save water too by using a closed-loop system to recycle coolant over and over. And we are one of only a handful of distilleries in the UK to run on 100% renewable energy.

Through a number of initiatives, zero waste is sent to landfill. After each distillation run the spent botanicals are sent to Haxby Bakehouse in York, to be upcycled into delicious breads and pastry glazes, or we compost them on site.

The compost is then used to grow next year’s botanicals. Spent barley grains are collected every week by a nearby farmer to feed his cattle. All other waste is either recycled or sent to a nearby state-of-the-art waste-to-energy plant, which generates power for Yorkshire homes.

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We make a point of sourcing raw materials as close as possible to support Yorkshire farmers, reduce food miles and celebrate Yorkshire’s bounty. All barley and wheat is Yorkshire grown; fresh basil for the Herb Gin is either grown on site or sourced from Rocket & Russet near York; the lavender is grown and harvested 9 miles away; the raspberries used in the Berry + Basil Liqueur are all grown on the independent, family-owned Spilmans Farm; and the raw honey used in the Dry Gin comes from our on-site family beehives, which are cared for by Abbie’s father Graham.

A prestigious range of retailers are keen to support our mission.

Names include the Natural History Museum, Selfridges, English Heritage, Booths and John Lewis. We also work with a wonderful and diverse array of people across Yorkshire. We’ve collaborated with Tommy and James Banks at Roots and the Black Swan to create bespoke spirits, bitters and cocktails, developed a smoked & spiced gin for Neil Bentinck at Skosh, and recently launched a Yorkshire Lemongrass Vodka with The Rattle Owl; we ran a project with York College business students, which led to the install of gin refill stations at McMillans of Malton, Zero Muda in Leeds and The Higgledy Pig in Robin Hoods Bay; our spirits can be bought across Yorkshire and beyond, including in other favourite York bars such as Pairings and Spark.

We’re currently developing the masterplan for our one acre rural site, which will see us become a destination distillery with a community and events space, café, botanical gardens and increased whisky cask storage. However, the biggest upcoming event is the release of our single malt whisky. Made with Yorkshire barley, distilled in a Tasmanian copper pot still and matured in oak casks tended to by local Master Cooper Alastair Simms of Jensen’s Cooperage, we’re on the brink of something very exciting.

Words: Chris Jaume Photos: Cooper King Distillery @cooperkingdistillery cooperkingdistillery.co.uk

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TASTES LIKE HERE Richard ‘Dickie’ Jack is Head of Farm Production for Black Swan Oldstead, Roots York & Made in Oldstead. He tells us about his love for natural produce and the surprising abundance of local food to forage this winter.

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Having been a chef for many years, I always felt I was looking for ‘more’ from my career. It was when working for Matthew Lockwood at his restaurant Lockwoods in Ripon that he introduced me to the Banks family over in Oldstead.

I immediately fell in love with my new role doing all things growing, foraging and preserving. Over the years my area of responsibility has grown dramatically to where we are today - supplying two Michelin star restaurants, our dine at home food boxes and lots of external events.

Back to the here-and-now; I love the early winter. It is a time for reflection of what we have achieved each season, and it gives me such pleasure to look at our stacks of preserves, knowing that we cannot do anymore until next season.

When there may seem very little to forage or harvest as we move into winter - that couldn’t be further from the truth as we begin clamping our beetroots, carrots, chicory root alongside later and sweeter sloes and rose hips that can still be found waiting for us in the hedgerows!

I love making sloe gin - such a great, traditional British drink.

Then there’s the rose hip syrup - a really simple product, great in cocktails, over ice cream, or even as a homemade cough medicine.

Regarding the chicory root, it is so easy to grow and resembles a parsnip. Once dried and roasted and lightly crumbled, it makes a almost coffee-like drink once married with hot water in a cafetière.

As always as winter moves along, I wait with huge anticipation for a new season of growing, foraging and preserving.

Words and Photos: Richard Jack @chefdickielad

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ALL THE TRIMMINGS At the heart of the best comfort food is the humble vegetable. From warming winter stews to Christmas dinners with all the trimmings, it is a time for greens, roots, herbs and fruits to shine. So, we asked six Leeds greengrocers what fruit and veg were in demand this season.

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AJ Afro Caribbean - Leeds Market AJ This time of season people buy a lot of produce like pounded yam, semovita and lots of semolina, cassava flour which is really popular and the most popular is also plantain and yam. They’re very good seasonal food.

The Headingley Greengrocer - Headingley Cathy We sell a lot of different things but recently people are going onto the stirfry type of produce like pak choi and fennel. We get a lot of locally grown produce in the shop like kale and chard which are going really well. It’s also sprout season so we have a lot in the shop. And parsnips and coriander are also really popular at the minute. The type of produce for good winter stews and soups are becoming more popular.

The Fruit Stall - Chapel Allerton Lizzie Cauliflower is really popular at the minute, we source them from Wakefield and they come in every Wednesday and Friday from a farm called Westwood. They bring cabbage, leeks, cauliflower, kale, and purple sprouting broccoli. All the rain is helping so there’s absolutely tons of produce. Apples and pears are also popular, and butternut squash as well for people making curries and soups.

Green Zone - Leeds Market Lucy For the winter season people are buying more green vegetables like cabbage, sprouts, spinach and kale. People at this time of year are creating more soul food like soups.

Neil’s - Leeds Market Theresa Berries are particularly popular here, fruit is selling best at the moment. Strawberries are our number one seller because they can be very expensive in supermarkets. We’ll dedicate the front section of the shop to festive produce closer to the season, using sprouts.

Spice Corner - Leeds Market Kashif People are mostly buying cinnamon and wine vinegar. You can combine spices with wine vinegar to create your own. This becomes especially popular for the Christmas season, plus spices for mulled wine. People buy a lot of herbs from us like oregano, sorrel leaves and hibiscus flowers, we get a lot of fresh produce around this time. We also sell a lot of Scotch Bonnet, people use it for parties and making social food.

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BREAKING BREAD

In several suburbs of Leeds, various cultures from diverse backgrounds gather harmoniously. On the streets of areas such as Harehills and Hyde Park, there are lifestyles from every continent adapted positively for their Leeds home.

Many traditions are shared, most notably by authentic eateries serving up the flavours of their origins, providing an opportunity to experience other cultures, taste different cuisines, and together break bread.

For 25 years, one such place has been doing just that from its Indian heritage to the people of Harehills, and in the last year have also expanded into Hyde Park. Anand Sweets has become a Leeds legend to those in the know, for its warm welcome, inclusive atmosphere and delicious home-cooked food at purse pleasing prices. Having organically changed ownership in 2019 to a long-standing employee Surjit and her husband Harvinder, their daughter Gagan spoke to us about the evolution of this fab and friendly Leeds restaurant.

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Our family are from Punjab in North India. My mum made sure we stuck to our roots and always used to feed us Indian food at least once a day. She’s really fond of cooking and an amazing chef.

When we moved here she always wanted to have her own business.

She joined Anand Sweets, which has been open for almost 25 years.

My mum had already been working here for 6 years and wanted something to call her own, so when they sold this business in 2019 she decided to take over the original name of Anand Sweets.

With the food, my mum had to be satisfied with the quality and preparation so she decided to make everything her own. The menu is now full of homemade quality dishes made using her recipes. All of these are authentic from Punjab, it’s exactly how she used to cook at home - just now in a much larger quantity!

Everything is made in the Harehills restaurant every morning and then some is delivered to our new Hyde Park restaurant. There are dishes like curries that need making on the spot so we tend to deliver savouries like uncooked samosas, pakoras and cook them in the other restaurant - it makes sure the food always tastes fresh.

The ingredients we get shipped from India, and it is all organic. We also support local businesses for other ingredients and regularly visit a family owned business called Natasha Foods.

Our most popular dishes are the samosa chaat, shahi paneer (an Indian cheese in a seasoned gravy but is not too spicy), bhatura is an inflated and fried bread that comes with a chickpea curry, and the thali of the day - in this you get 2 curries, rice, 2 sides and 2 breads.

A lot of people come here especially for the parathas, we make them from scratch and many people have told us it tastes like home.

Paratha is a flour dough with a filling in between, wrap it up and roll it to use as a chapati and put it on the grill shortly. You can have it plain or with many of our other dishes.

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The sweets we serve are very similar to what was available here for many years. My mum does the cooking for savouries and my dad has taken over the sweets. A few slight changes have been made but we try to keep it as authentic as we can. A lot of the people working in the kitchen have been here for many years.

The atmosphere is nice and cosy, very warm, welcoming and friendly.

The people that come to eat at Anand Sweets are looking for some traditional high quality food, which we’ve been serving for years. We serve many people from a lot of different cultures and ethnicities, and there’s a big variation in age as well.

We’re really proud to be bringing our culture to the city and introducing so many people to new flavours and dishes from our home. Sharing food absolutely brings people together, some cultures' food can be similar but it’s nice to see people exploring new dishes and learning about the flavours of other cultures. The food brings people joy.

Words: Gagandeep Kaur Chera Photos: 1.

Michael Hodges @michaeldotphoto

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Perfected Thai Flavours

See you at Rosa’s Thai York We’re serving up all the best hits, from our famous Pad Thai to handmade Spring Rolls; crowd’s favourite, Chilli Basil Stir-Fry to Massaman Curry with our very own curry paste. There’s a bit of something for everyone at our cozy new restaurant.

Come find us at the historic 1 Coney Street, York, YO1 9QL Scan to book or followt this link: tinyurl.com/rosasthaibooking or give us a ring 01904 590046

For more info, visit rosasthai.com or follow us @rosasthai

LIGHT MY FIRE

Swaledale Butchers are a family business based in Skipton, North Yorkshire. Jorge Thomas provides an insight to the various benefits of their traditional methods, their nose-to-tail approach, and the smoking techniques used by restaurants such as The Hawthorn and Ox Club who they supply.

Our passion, expertise and dedication is in supplying the native, livestock breeds of Britain to homes and businesses throughout the UK. In pursuit of this, the breed, age of animal, feed, length of time ageing, and butchery techniques are constantly being considered and refined.

Our goal is not to achieve the highest yielding carcasses; it is simply to produce products that are exceptional to cook and eat - be it a piece of beef or pork from our Himalayan salt room, a cured pig's cheek smoked over beech, or our range of sausages, for which we grind whole spices in-house daily.

For over a decade we have been working with some of the best chefs in the UK - our community of chefs have become great friends and often visit us and our farmers, without whom none of this would be possible. Our farming community has grown with us over the years. A network of like-minded farmers that live and breathe the Yorkshire Dales, exclusively farming traditional breeds - people that we know and trust, all striving to produce the ultimate chef's ingredients, now available to the home cook.

People often comment that our meat tastes old-fashioned or like it used to when they were growing up, and we consider this huge compliment. Much slower to mature than commercial beef, these heritage breeds develop outstanding depth of flavour and marbling as a result. We do everything possible to respect the animal with a nose-totail approach, traditional seam butchery and proper dry-ageing.

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Red Dexter Cattle, Hellifield

Belted Galloways, Buckden

Highland Cattle, Hellifield

A generation ago in Britain we farmed traditional livestock perfectly adapted to our climate and terrain. As traditional breeds favour a grass and hay-based diet, they are perfectly adapted for the landscape of the Dales and the mostly rough grazing available. Their consumption of a wide range of grasses not only produces amazing beef, it benefits the entire ecosystem by allowing other native plants and flowers to flourish.

Livestock grazing plays a vital role in maintaining upland habitats by controlling more aggressive species, which would otherwise dominate these areas. The selection of plant species by traditional native breed livestock is an important factor determining the structure and floristic richness of the vegetation - this ripples through the ecosystem benefiting not just flora and fauna, but invertebrates, mammals and in turn birds also.

We feel that there is a growing trend towards eating less but better-quality meat. This is a notion with which we wholeheartedly agree. There is also a move towards utilising all cuts, something lost in recent generations – cuts like liver, tongue and cheek. This resurrection of old-fashioned cuts is something we are experiencing with Christmas sales – whilst free range Bronze turkeys are popular, this is matched by ribs of beef, dry-cured hams and majestic rolled legs of pork. We recommend these cuts, once popular at Christmas in Britain, as they hark back to a bygone era, one which is now coming full circle.

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We feel our products are particularly well suited to cooking over fire, and have recently launched a journal to advise on cooking techniques from our professional chef community. Smoke is a wonderful seasoning in its own right, but charcoal quality can vary dramatically, so buy the best you can afford. There are multiple small producers making single wood variety charcoals, each with a different character. These will give more flavour and often burn longer than most commercial charcoals.

If cooking over direct heat, it’s advisable to create two zones – an area of very hot, burn down but still glowing coals, and an area of coals that are allowed to burn down to a grey-white colour, giving a medium hot, even heat. A steak, for example, can be transferred between these two zones – seared briefly over intense heat for colour, then transferred to a less intense heat, spending the majority of time in the cooler zone with bursts of high heat – this will impart the best colour and flavour. This technique can be used for many cuts, from lamb chops or a butterflied lamb leg, to pork chops and the full array of secondary and primary beef steaks.

Slow cooking over an offset or ceramic bbq can be an alternative technique for cooking classic bbq cuts such as a beef brisket, beef short ribs, pork belly ribs and boston butt. A long slow cook over a controlled temperature allows the muscle to break down and become wonderfully tender, ideally creating a ‘smoke ring’ – a pink ring around 1cm under the surface of the cut, often used as a barometer of quality of the resulting smoked product.

One of our most satisfying achievements is seeing a return to traditional livestock around the Dales; Dexter cattle, Belted Galloways and Highlands all dotted across the landscape. We’re incredibly proud to be at the heart of it and to bring these unique breeds to commercial and home kitchens across the UK.

Words: Jorge Thomas Photos: Swaledale Butchers @swaledalebutchers swaledale.co.uk 1. Andy Castle @andycastle

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WHAT’S ON Get in the Christmas spirit at the array of festive events all over Yorkshire. From illuminated walks and family fun days out to music concerts and food festivals, we’ve picked eight of the best happenings in the build up to the big day this December.

St Nicholas Fair - Parliament Street 17th November - 23rd December

Winter Illuminations - Yorkshire Wildlife Park 18th November - 14th January

St Nicholas Fair has been York’s major Christmas celebration for 30 years. Its anniversary maintains the usual festive mood whilst elevating it with added extras. The city centre street becomes a winter wonderland filled with stall holders and Christmas shoppers, plus newcomer The Winter Hutte creates a special experience. This pop-up Swiss chalet overlooking the market is a unique gourmet restaurant by local Michelin starred chef Andrew Pern.

Head down South Yorkshire to experience the Winter Illuminations at Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Light and Lantern Festival. This conservation is a top tourist attraction all year round due to the hundreds of animals that live here, and this winter lights up with wonder. The illuminated trails are filled with giant hand-crafted lanterns to create a stunning spectacle to walk around.

Ice Cube - Millennium Square 25th November - 31st December

Christmas Adventure - Stockeld Park 19th November to 3rd January

Returning to the centre of Leeds this winter is the inclusive fun of the Ice Cube. This popular presence transforms Millennium Square into ice for all ages to skate around the rink. As well as the main attraction, outside of the ice there is much more to entertain, with a fun fair, food served from Alpine huts, and drinks in Christmas pop ups, including the lively Thor’s Tipi and a new themed Ski Bar.

Stockeld Park in Wetherby has rightly gained a reputation as a magical place to explore every winter. This year’s Christmas Adventure is as impressive as ever, with Winter Illuminations in the Enchanted Forest, an ice rink, a Snowflake Maze, and the opportunity to meet Santa.

Winter Village - Temple Arches 10th November - 31st December

Malton Christmas Festival - Malton Market Place 4th & 5th December

Chow Down bring the Winter Village to Leeds’ Temple Arches and the eclectic social fun that comes with it. As well as the fabulous street food and evolving entertainment, there are additions especially for the season: it’s a unique setting for World Cup screenings, and Christmas themed events move from Santa’s Breakfast to a Drag Brunch Xmas Special, and continue with festivities through the evening.

Known as the food capital of Yorkshire, Malton hosts several fantastic food festivals. Spring and summer bring the Malton Food Lovers Festival to town, and throughout the year Malton Monthly Food Market fills the streets with tempting tastes. In winter, the deliciousness continues at Market Square where Malton Christmas Festival showcases top street food stalls as well as demos, gifts, drinks, and fab festive entertainment.

Festive Season - Yorkshire Sculpture Park 4th December - 7th January

Christmas Tree Festival - York Minster 3rd December to 5th January

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a wonderfully unique visit, an open-air gallery of fascinating sculptures near Wakefield. As well as the exhibits by artists including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst, they have a selection of events for their festive season. There are Christmas menus in the restaurants, live music at Brass Christmas concerts, and ease into the new year with a walk and draw reflection New Year Noticing.

The incredible York Minster is a wonderfully evocative setting that resonates even higher at Christmas. The beautiful surroundings light up with 40 Christmas trees decorating the Chapter House and Lady Chapel. Music sings through the Minster too, with Christmas Carol concerts, and at the neighbouring Michael Le Belfrey Church, the Big Christmas Concert is a positive celebration of festive songs.

Photos: 1-2. Stockeld Park @stockeldpark 3. Yorkshire Sculpture Park @yspsculpture 4.

Chow Down @chowdownuk

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CASTLE HOWARD INTO THE WOODS A FAIRYTALE CHRISTMAS 12TH NOVEMBER - 2ND JANUARY

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Photos: Pete Seaward** @peteseawardphotography, Emma Raye* @emmarayephoto

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CREATE IN LEEDS Leeds Arts University has been an important education institution for the city and for creativity for over 175 years. With an impressive and long list of alumni, we feature some of those who have graduated from Leeds Arts Uni and now create in Leeds.

Ekaterina Sheath - Illustrator BA (Hons) Illustration, 2021 I have always been drawing, ever since I was little. My mum reminisces about how I used to sit for hours engrossed in whatever I was making, working my way through the paper and materials around me. I was then very lucky to go to a school that supported and encouraged my creativity. They helped me flourish, explore and push my boundaries.

LAU was the perfect environment to develop my practice. They gave me the freedom to experiment with different materials and explore a variety of contexts for my work. It was the time I needed to push away from my traditional art education and find my own visual language.

The LAU Careers Department was hugely influential in ensuring I had the confidence and skills I needed to jump straight into freelancing after graduating. They held workshops, talks and open calls focusing on how to start up as a freelancer and applying what you had learnt during your course to real-world briefs. These were integral to helping me secure commissions on graduating.

Since graduating I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting projects with clients such as; Historic England, Wakefield Council, Leeds City Council, Leeds BID, and Craven Museum.

My practice centres around how contemporary illustration can be used as a tool to encourage public engagement with local heritage, which many of these projects do.

I am currently working on a commission with the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on making health check invitations more approachable for people with severe mental illness. By rewriting and including my illustrations inspired by the local area we hope to make the support available more accessible and personable.

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I am also working with Communicolour to develop a series of outdoor murals for Leeds-based schools. The project intends to transform dull grey spaces into exciting and interactive environments that capture children’s imaginations and spark creative learning and play.

Illustration can be a way to celebrate and experience local spaces as a cultural asset.

My current creative style started by accident. During the first lockdown, I saw a local community lead arts organisation CA Spaces were seeking artists to paint media boxes with designs to bring art to everyday life. I had never done anything like it but I absolutely loved it.

Everything suddenly clicked and sparked an idea of where I wanted to take my practice. It brought together a love of discovering new places and meeting new people, all while painting! I began to collect terms that resonated with me; public realm, community, representation, situational illustration, heritage, contemporary illustration, and street art. I felt inspired.

Creativity is so important. It helps us express ourselves, understand our heritage, and process our surroundings. It brings a sense of play and colour to our cities. Leeds is such an exciting place to live and work, with a vibrant community of creatives. I am surrounded by people from across the industry at co-working space Duke Studios and it is an inspiring environment to be a part of. There are so many wonderful artists who are taking part in transforming our city.

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Alongside still and our own creative practices, we both design in a freelance capacity for commercial brands; I design patterns and products for homeware retailers and Rose designs prints for fashion brands. We got into this straight out of uni really – we were lucky to be selected to go to New Designers after graduating at LAU and whilst exhibiting our final collections there, we were able to meet people already working in industry.

From the contacts we made, we managed to sell some designs and get our first freelance jobs; Rose with Accessorize and me with Anthropologie. Between then and now, we’ve also both worked in-house for companies too which taught us so much more about the way the design industry works; everything from trend direction through to the manufacturing process and beyond.

In August we moved into the studio here at Aire Street Workshops - which is full of other creatives - and set about transforming it into a welcoming space that we could open up to share with others. It took quite a few long days and extra pairs of hands but we got there and have been hosting since September!

Rose & Natalie - Founders of Still Studio BA (Hons) Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design, 2015 & 2013 We started still this year to create an accessible space for creatives wanting to host workshops and small events in Leeds city centre. We know the barriers that artists can face, and we wanted to help break some of those down. It’s hopefully an inspiring place for all to gather; to experiment without pressure, to explore a new skill or simply to switch off from the everyday for a while.

We both studied Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at LAU but didn’t actually meet whilst we were there! Having focused on designing on a freelance basis, I [Nat] am beginning to develop my own creative practice in printmaking again. I love pressing flowers and finding colour palettes in unexpected places. Rose is a contemporary fine artist working across paperbased paintings and organic, hand-built ceramics. Her work focuses on colour and aims to evoke a sense of place within each piece. She loves film cameras and new art materials - and her two little dogs, Millie & Ted! Even though we work on our own now, LAU taught us the importance of working together, helping each other out and definitely to give everything a go.

Also, that you’ll never find a better print room!

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We believe it’s critical for creativity to be interwoven throughout everything. It can significantly improve the well-being of an individual, it encourages collaboration within business, and it can be one of the biggest generators of culture within a city.

Encouraging creativity brings together communities, which in turn plays a huge role in the success of a city.

Leeds seems to ebb and flow creatively. Sometimes it feels enriched and evolving and other times it can seem a little held back from being allowed to realise its true potential. With so much talent in the city, it would be great to see more creatives being given an opportunity to input and set creative agenda rather than simply responding to it. We’re proud to be part of the supportive creative collective here in Leeds; the independent businesses and creative talents here add so much value and interest to the city and we all must support them if we want to continue to see the city grow.

Rosie Summers - 3D Animator and Virtual Reality Artist BA (Hons) Animation, 2018 My creative background started with Fine Art, where I specialised in emotional portraiture - but I always yearned to tell stories with more vigour and movement. I wanted my paint to move, jump around from the canvas, not be constrained to a one dimensional white rectangle. When I pursued an Art Foundation course at LAU, I realised animation combined these passions together, telling stories through motion.

From there I experimented with a whole range of mediums and dimensions; 2D, 3D, and to Virtual Reality where I really found my element; the ability to transport people into the hearts of narratives and worlds. Alongside making VR films, I was also experimenting with VR art, a new and revolutionary way of painting and breathing life into worlds from the inside out. Due to the performative nature of the medium, I decided to tap into the event space with VR performances.

Some of the most important things I learnt at LAU were the importance of self learning, to always keep learning, and knowing how to improve your craft. To not be afraid of making mistakes, they happen and it’s all a part of your growth as an artist. And to get yourself out there! I learnt so many skills, confidence and connections through my time at LAU that led me to the path I am on today.

While studying my final year I was freelancing as an Animator

and Virtual Reality Artist; for a film company as a VR creator, and consulting for Leeds Council for their film festival strands.

All the while, I wanted to get my foot into the games industry too. I saw an ad for a 3D animator at a new startup in Leeds called XR Games. Even though I was just a graduate, I applied anyway… and I got the job! I have been at XR Games ever since graduating, working on some exciting titles such as Angry Birds and Zombieland. Meanwhile, I have also been improving my VR art craft and have had the opportunity to work with some really exciting clients from BBC Studios, British Library, Riot Games, Meta and Google.

Leeds is the home of the first moving image, and has remained a hub for art and technology. It is such a creatively enriching place to live, inspiration from so many corners, with vibrant festivals, galleries and thriving creative industries. In the final year of university while career searching I started to worry I would have to commute to Manchester or move to London to get the career in the industry I wanted, but that is not the case.

There are so many wonderfully creative people here in Leeds.

Creativity is an escape; an outlet to unleash and manifest your imagination. It is so important for this to resonate through individuals and reflect on our cities and businesses.

Words and Photos: Ekaterina Sheath @ ekaterina.m.sheath Rose & Natalie at Still Studio Rosie Summers @vr_rosie

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The only specialist arts university in the North of England.

Our students benefit from award winning specialist facilities, expert staff and an inspiring environment where anything feels possible.

Undergraduate – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

BA (Hons) Animation BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art BA (Hons) Creative Advertising BA (Hons) Creative Writing BA (Hons) Fashion Branding with Communication BA (Hons) Fashion Design BA (Hons) Fashion Photography BA (Hons) Filmmaking BA (Hons) Fine Art BA (Hons) Graphic Design BA (Hons) Illustration BA (Hons) Photography BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance BA (Hons) Textile Design BA (Hons) Visual Communication

Further Education – –

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Extended Diploma in Creative Practice

Postgraduate – – – – – – – –

MA Animation MA Creative Practice MA Digital Fashion MA Fine Art MA Graphic Design MA Illustration with Graphic Novel MA Photography MA Worldbuilding with Creature Design

www.leeds-art.ac.uk

INDIAN INDIAN STREET STREET FOOD FOOD

CRAFT CRAFT BEER BEER LEEDS - 6 MILL HILL

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THEATRE SEASON

The amazing architecture of a theatre is that rare thing on which everybody agrees: it is awe-inspiring. A timeless triumph which evokes emotion and admiration, and provides the perfect setting for which it was created. One would think that such a building is hard to find, and yet in Yorkshire alone, there are many magnificent theatres, each with their own identity whilst all sharing the same magical feel. We visited eight inspiring theatres in and around Leeds and York to discover their rich heritage, their vital future, and what they’ve got on stage this theatre season.

Leeds Playhouse, Leeds

At the bottom of Leeds city centre is a vitally important building for the city’s artistic culture. From the outside, Leeds Playhouse is no obvious amphitheatre, not shrouded in a century of history, but inside the attractively renovated exterior is fifty years of stagecraft oozing out. In two superb theatres - Quarry, a comfy and atmospheric 300 seater, and Courtyard, a more intimate hundred seater full of DIY charm - are an array of events, from musical shows and comedy gigs to creative engagement, education and inspiration. The seasonal spectacular this year are Stick Man and Charlie and the Chocolate factory, sure to entertain all ages.

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Grand Opera House, York

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Grand Theatre, Leeds

‘The grand old lady of Leeds’ has been entertaining the city since this ornate building was completed in 1878. The striking site is grand indeed, displaying its Victorian finery and evoking the very essence of theatre across its stalls and circles. Whilst preserving its past, the Grand is also a modern magnificence, bringing to its stage popular performances of eclectic experiences. This winter alone runs the whole gamut, hosting several comedians including Kevin Bridges and Joanne McNally, a hit production of Les Miserables, and from the city’s exceptional music and dance organisations, Northern Ballet’s presentation of The Nutcracker and Opera North’s Tosca.

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The building in which the Grand Opera House lives was originally a warehouse and a corn exchange. These 1868 origins seem unfathomable now when wrapped in the ornate interior of a space that embodies every characteristic of a traditional theatre. Since transforming in 1902, Grand Opera House has ever since been a place for plays, musicals, music, comedy, ballet, and of course, opera. As its name implies, the sound is spectacular as is the aesthetics, which are draped in red curtains and sumptuous velvet. Now the county’s largest fully operational theatre, its festive listings are dominated by York’s favourite fun production performing pantomime The Adventure of Old Granny Goose.

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Bradford has a number of cultural attractions within its centre, including this beautiful theatre which continues to bring great shows to the city. The Alhambra is over a hundred years old, built in 1913 and named after a Spanish palace in Granada; the West Yorkshire version has since become a Grade II listed building and a distinctive sprawling sight in the city’s skyline.

Inside the striking exterior is a 1400 capacity theatre and a smaller studio. The main auditorium is a magnificent theatrical spectacle, only matched by the shows which visit its stage; this Christmas and New Year it’s a giant production for over a month of Jack and The Beanstalk for all the family.

City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds

As the UK’s longest running music hall, the performers who have trodden the stage at Leeds City Varieties are a thing to behold: Charlie Chaplin; Houdini; Russell Crowe... Its humble origins as a room above a pub in 1865 belies its music hall wonder which can be felt within and throughout the beautiful traditional theatre. It is a space which impresses even before the performer entertains, although the listings make sure that this old house has the best current acts on its stage. A favourite venue for many comedians, with Paul Chowdhry and Fern Brady two of those visiting early next year, whilst December is dominated by Leeds’ favourite festive rock n roll panto, this time giving Dick Whittington the rnr treatment.

Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate

In the attractive spa town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Harrogate Theatre matches its exquisitely maintained surroundings. This Grade II listed Victorian venue was built in 1900 and retains the character of that time. As well as stepping back into the beautiful period features of the charming exterior and lavish interior, Harrogate Theatre also attracts current customers by putting on an array of performances. For almost 2 months this winter, they’ll take visitors to the 500 seats across 3 floors on a magic carpet ride over the sparkling pantomime Aladdin.

York Theatre Royal, York

For over 275 years York’s first theatre has been entertaining the city at this superb central site by the Minster. Having evolved through the centuries, York Theatre Royal remains rooted in historic character and theatrical traditions, whilst reconfiguring for modern comfort and culture. The 750 seated theatre changed from a proscenium to offer productions in the round a decade ago, and retains its glorious sweeping views from stalls, circles, balcony and box. They put on their own productions here alongside touring shows; this December sees runs of Ghost Stories for Christmas and Peter Pan, and you can start the new year by taking a theatre tour and tea.

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Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

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The Stephen Joseph Theatre is one of the first things you’ll see when entering the east coast town of Scarborough by train, and yet its presence still surprises. Amongst the seaside charms and tourist attractions, this is a bold and relevant cultural theatre which inspires and entertains. Britain’s first theatre in the round was created by Stephen Joseph in 1955 in a tiny library space, before moving to its permanent position founded by Artistic Director Alan Ayckbourn in 1988. There is live theatre, music, talks and events, and they join in the Christmas spirit with a Sammy the Shoemakers Impossible Day for kids and cinema screenings of various festive films for all.

Photos: 1. Leeds Playhouse @leedsplayhouse 2. Alhambra @nicholas.e.taylor 3. York Theatre Royal @yorktheatreroyal 4. Stephen Joseph Theatre @thesjt

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Discover the Spa at No.1 by GuestHouse, York Down in the warm, cocooning calm of The Spa at No.1 try our Mid-week Mini Treat Package that lets you take 60 minutes to lessen your stresses, then refuel with our indulgent Afternoon Tea. Scan the QR code for some very special offers.

No.1 York 1 Clifton, York YO30 6AA www.guesthousehotels.co.uk

01904 644744

@guesthousehotels

ONE OF A KIND

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Ian Harker, the Communications & Marketing Officer, tells the unique and historic story of The Leeds Library, and how this beautiful building is expanding into the future.

The Leeds Library opened in 1768 in the backroom of a booksellers shop. Joseph Ogel’s shop was located on the other side of Briggate, on Kirkgate, about where Specsavers is now. That was our first premise. When the Leeds Library was in Mr Ogel’s shop, it meant he was the first librarian, which brought him lots of business as a bookseller. He would’ve sold books that are still available in the Leeds Library now.

Really the story of the Leeds Library is running out of space; we’ve been running out of space for books since 1768. We ran out of space in Mr Ogel’s shop, moved to a room in an old mansion house that had been vacated and was functioning as the Rotary Office for the Magistrates Court. This was on the corner of Kirkgate and New Market Street, just opposite Greggs.

Eventually, we ran out of space again, and the trustees of the library decided that we needed proper premises of our own; so, they bought a plot of land in the hottest part of town which was being developed at that time, Commercial Street. In a stroke of genius that has seen us through until today, the committee decided they would put shop units below and the Library above, in order to give the Library income.

We opened in 1808, the original parts of this building date back to then and haven’t changed since. When you walk into the main room of the Library, you’re looking at how it would’ve been in 1808. But we were still running out of room for books.

Extensions were added to create what we still call ‘The New Room’, even though it’s 143 years old. Then in the 1920s we also expanded down and put stacks of books in the basement.

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Originally the Leeds Library was for the better heeled people of the town, people who could afford to learn to read and had time to read, and a desire to acquire more books. We were limited to 500 shareholder subscribers; the shares cost a guinea, then you paid your annual subscription on top of that.

Your face had to fit as well. We had a machine here which is a square contraption with a dish on top and a circular hole with a little curtain on it. The idea was that if someone applied to become a member, the committee would vote anonymously about whether this person’s face fitted or not. ‘Yes’ on one side, ‘no’ on the other .

We’re of course not limited to 500 members anymore and the Library is much more open and public facing. We’ve physically expanded to the side and downwards, but organisationally the Leeds Library has changed significantly. We are immensely proud to be the oldest surviving members subscription library in the UK. People use their membership in so many different ways. Of course they use our collection of 120,000 books, they also use it as a base for leisure time or as a desk to work or study. The Leeds Library is a source of tranquillity in a very busy city centre.

We’re a haven for people to escape from their busy lives. Our longest serving member Judith Pickard described the Library from 70 years ago as a hushed, cathedral-like place.

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Now, there is much more happening here too. We had over 4,000 visitors on Light Night with our light installation. We’ve had contemporary dance, modern theatre as well as traditional author events. We also have groups for our members, a film club, craft club and 2 book clubs. Recently, Charles Dickens’ great-great grandson, Gerald, performed ‘A Christmas Carol’ in the Library.

Every book on the shelves represents a huge personal commitment on behalf of the person that wrote it. We want the Leeds Library to be a friend, a source of support and encouragement, practical and emotional for readers and writers. To help people find a fascinating book that could change your perspective on the world completely. To help nurture the next generation of people that are going to put books on our shelves. That is the most important contribution that the Leeds Library can make.

I think Leeds without the Leeds Library would be unthinkable. The world is getting busier, faster and more impersonal. Any space that affords you the opportunity to either meet up with likeminded people or just go into a quiet corner and work, read, think, and have moments of reflection is radical. Spaces and places like the Library can be a source of spiritual and intellectual nourishment and comfort, which we need in our city more than ever.

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Earlier this year we completed the purchase of the next door building, which will allow us to do a lot of wonderful things. We will have a professional events space which will enable us to do more work in education and schools. The most important thing about it is that it will make the Leeds Library accessible to people with limited mobility and wheelchair users for the first time in our history.

It’s astonishing that with the economic hardships, a library is expanding in a major city centre. I think that’s a triumph. It’s going to transform not only the space but the lives of the people that we work with and be a force for good in our city. It is important for us to have as big a community of people who love the library as possible.

We need as much support as we can get.

When people see it for the first time they always have the same reaction: ‘wow’. All we have to do is get people here - the library then sells itself and people want to become a member and part of our community. The phrase you hear most often about the Leeds Library is that it is a ‘hidden gem’, but we don’t want it to be hidden anymore.

Words: Ian Harker Photos: The Leeds Library @theleedslibrary theleedslibrary.org.uk

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It Takes A Village Henna Angus of Paramount Music works with emerging local artists to provide a platform that gives them opportunities to be heard and succeed.

Here are her recommendations of some of the many talented people - from musicians and DJs to those behind the music - to keep an ear out for in Leeds.

Popular breakthrough acts such as Kaiser Chiefs, Mel B, Corrine Bailey Rae and Tom Zanetti have been some of Yorkshire’s and Leeds’ long standing claims to musical fame… but let’s scratch the surface that little bit further. As a Leeds based creative director and consultant, I’ve been on the ground with the new talent over the past 7 years. I have seen the growth of individuals and witnessed their thousands of hours of consistent hard work start to flourish and materialise. This expands outside of the artists themselves and to the producers, engineers, live supporting bands and the visual creatives that bring the artists’ musical visions to life. So, I’m going to take this opportunity to name drop these local talents creating amazing sounds.

My passion is to help creatives and entrepreneurial thinkers turn their dreams into a reality and help materialise their ideas. The Leeds music scene has some fabulous individuals, some who have been noticed nationally, and more coming through locally. Let’s get behind them, and let our city shine! After all, it takes a village.

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Lyricist | Rapper D5 - Love his easy and laid back but very ‘vibey’ flow. His live performance presence comes naturally to him, it looks like it’s his happy place.

Graft - He’s reached a new level for rap artists from Leeds/Yorkshire and set the bar extremely high. Not only a versatile artist but a powerhouse on the stage too.

August - Afro-beats meets drill and hip hop. August's music fits perfectly in the nightlife scenes.

Cole LC - Lyricist, rapper, singer, what can’t he do?! He mastered all three areas and accomplished so much at a young age.

90s - A Leeds veteran with so much more to give! I can’t wait to hear about his next project. His last project ‘The Game Changer’ showed all his sides.

Caution - A new riser, given a strong vision this one has so much potential.

Singer | Songwriter Mya Craig - Soft melodic vocals meets sensational ‘baddie’, what more could you want?!

Georgia Copeland - Born in Leeds and migrated to Nottingham but always a Leeds lass at heart! The UK’s very own Lauren Hill and Ari Lennox…

Melissa Steel - Already a platinum selling artist from Yorkshire with a delicate sweet voice and lovely energy. I would love to hear what this gorgeous gal has coming up next!

Erin - One to watch, with the right support she can really go far.

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DJ's DJ Ro DJ Vybes In Da House DJ Josh Weekes DJ Noah DJ Ryan Wilson Thaiguy DJ Dan Hills DJ Ignition DJ Issac Mayne

Behind the music - It takes a village!

Danny West - Artist/music manager, producer and visual director (videographer).

Simmy Kanda - Photographer, stylist and model.

C Sharp - Producer.

Motion - Top tier engineer, producer and artist.

Super og - Videographer and visual director.

Sadia - Stylist.

Camera Papi - Photographer.

BVL - Fashion designer, stylist and visual studio owner.

Words and Photos: Henna Angus - Paramount Music @paramount_musicuk @henna_x_x_x

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Vintage Designer and more | instagram: @_sekkle_

CONVERGING CULTURES Asim Khan is a creative fabric material developer from Leeds. He works in the fashion industry across apparel, footwear and accessories, and has worked with major brands such as Stone Island. Now converging cultures through his own 3rd Migration project, which he presented earlier on this year at London Fashion Week and at the V&A in London through a series of talks, workshops and an exhibition. We spoke to Asim to learn about his cultural identity, discover where his unique passion for fashion came from, and look forward to where it is going next.

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The earliest memory of fashion for me is what was going on in the streets of Leeds. I lived around Hyde Park, which is a student area, but on the streets it was a myriad of subcultures and youth tribe dress codes. From the punks to the goths, the B-Boys, it just fascinated me. I wasn’t too much into fashion at that point but it left a lasting impression.

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Even back in the school days everyone was in their little gangs, whether we were into hip hop or a casual, Nike or Adidas; it just depended on what influenced you. It was really important back then what you wore; that represented who you were.

There was a shop in Leeds which was then run by Everton Campbell and Umberto Annecchini called HIP Menswear.

It displayed street culture from around the world, and I was lucky enough to work in that store, learn from those guys and from the people that walked in there. That had a big influence on my style. Leeds was a very style led city and that’s how I got into it.

From there I went down to London to study fashion design for my BA. Initially it was more about having a good time and partying in nightclubs! I refocused when I went back to the Royal College of Art and studied my MA in Menswear, concentrating on textiles. That led me into the fashion industry and I started developing a career out of it.

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After I graduated from the Royal College of Art, Stone Island saw my work and wanted to bring me onto their team. I had to move out to Milan and I’ve been there for almost 10 years now. Always in the back of my mind I knew I wanted to do my own thing, create my own products and reference my cultural heritage. So, I decided to set up my own agency, which I moved from Milan back to the UK. My background, from a cultural perspective, goes back to my grandparents and father who were born in British India, which later became Pakistan after the British Independence. In the 1960s they moved across to Great Britain and settled in West Yorkshire, where they worked at the textile mills in the area.

They lived around the Dewsbury area and then moved across to Leeds when I was around 3 or 4 years old. I’m a second generation British Pakistani and I’m from Yorkshire.

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On one side I have my Pakistani heritage, on the other I have my British upbringing. I’ve always been in between these two worlds. If you look at each culture individually, they’re worlds apart, but I am a product of them both. That’s where I exist; for me, it is a third culture. My work process comes from this world because I always look at complete opposites and bring them together to create harmony.

My personal project 3rd Migration, takes it back to my culture.

I always wanted to do something from a personal perspective, which fully represented me; it’s about bringing together all these different elements from my cultural heritage to create a harmony through material and aesthetics. I work with Harris Tweed, which is hand-woven in Scotland, and then sent to Pakistan to be hand embroidered by Aleph Studio with traditional embroidery techniques; it creates one material that represents two cultures.

The first iteration of 3rd Migration ‘First Youth’ which was inspired by my childhood growing up in Leeds. It explores my home life where I was surrounded by floral imagery, from the rich paintings and intricate mosaics of the Mughul empire to the ceremonial embroidered dresses and rituals of the community.

This combined with 70s kitch floral wallpaper and furnishing around the house left a long lasting impression. This was a stark contrast to what was going on streets, a myriad of subcultures and youth tribes. I was fascinated by their tribal codes and aesthetics. We took the flower references and explored them through natural printing and dyeing processes with flower waste on leather as well as hand embroidery. These materials were then reinterpreted into the garment archetype of youth tribal dress codes of the 1980s.

Over the years I have travelled the industry developing new ideas, concepts and materials, alongside this I have also been researching artisanal and handmade processes and how they can be reinterpreted in a modern context. I have explored natural dyeing and printing processes across India, Pakistan and worked with Japanese indigo dyers in a village near Mount Fuji. This is where I discovered the flower dyeing and printing process, which I reinterpreted for this project on a leather base in collaboration with Dutch tannery Ecco Leather.

At its essence 3rd Migration is an exploration of my heritage through the culture of material. The aim of the project is to push the boundaries of material research and development; and take it to a place it becomes art. I want this project to inspire and create conversation around 3rd culture identity. I have four further iterations planned for this project; each one deals with a different time in my life which will be guided by a specific material and process.

Words: Asim Khan @asimkan 3rdmigration.com

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UNIQUE BOUTIQUE

For a wonderful Winter getaway, you needn’t even venture outside of Yorkshire. Indeed, for the residents of York, there are stylish urban stays and relaxing rural retreats which will take you far away from your nearby home.

In these boutique hotels and fashionable airbnbs, that comfort and style is created by distinctive taste and individual design. We took a trip to four unique venues who each offer a look and feel all of their own.

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The Parisi Townhouse The Parisi Townhouse is a luxurious and spacious four bedroom period house in York city centre. Sophie and Maria describe how they combine central convenience with social serenity.

“The property is unusual for a house bang in the centre of the York, in that it has a relatively peaceful setting opposite a beautiful Norman church, with a generous courtyard garden. From the adjacent street, Walmgate, one of the oldest in the city, you can walk pretty much in a straight line to the Minster within ten minutes.

The interiors have evolved since we bought the property as a slightly dilapidated guesthouse in 2013. Our style is luxurious, colourful and comfortable. We grew up in the countryside just outside York surrounded by our artist father’s nature-inspired abstract paintings, the antique furniture that our mother was restoring, and their beautiful garden; all these things have had an influence on our design ideas.

Bold colours such as Farrow and Ball’s Stiffkey Blue and Edward Bulmer’s eco-friendly Invisible Green have been central to the character of the interiors, framing original features. Vibrant art lifts the walls, by Jerry Scott, Alan Gouk, Mark Hearld, John Langton and Raphael Balme.

We were lucky to find a wonderful fire surround and a gorgeous 30s marble topped chest of drawers while rummaging through The French House, a cornucopia of antiques in York. Other special mentions to classic Liberty print cushions, Pooky lamps, and lighting designer Ciara O’Neill’s lampshades. And we were excited to find out about Miniml, an eco-friendly, natural, zero-waste toiletry and cleaning product supplier based in Yorkshire.”

The Meadows Lodge The Meadows Lodge is a private wooden lodge set in a 6 acre property in the village of Dunnington on the outskirts of York.

Pandora Maxton reveals the timeless charms of this piece of Yorkshire.

“I’ve tried to make the lodge cosy and interesting. It’s a one bedroom wooden lodge and I wanted decadence. My favourite part is the kitchen; a mix of luxury items with rustic scaffold boards that lay in our field for years. On the back wall is a little homage to York; reproductions and drawings of local spots sourced from charity shops or given by family members. All to make this little space fascinating and welcoming.

The interior style is eclectic and quirky to a high spec. A combination of top end brands like Bert & May tiles, Earthborn paint for sustainability, Roper Rhodes bathroom, and La Redoute rugs and shelving. And the Rita Heyworth piece in the bedroom is a real show stopper!

I had a Liberty print bed throw made by a great local quilt maker, and beautiful art is sourced by a local gallery Art of Protest. I love to support local as well as sourcing further afield. There is also lovely outdoor seating from Moda furnishings to view the sunset from. I want guests to enjoy the outside as well as in.”

These happy contrasts of natural Yorkshire and styled luxury make Meadows Lodge a small space with a big personality.

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2 Precentor’s Court 2 Precentor’s Court is an independent holiday let located next to York Minster. Joint owner Jane describes the homely feel they have created in such a unique setting.

“I like to think people have picked to stay here because they want to be in the middle of York. You can hear the bells from the Minster, yet surprisingly it isn’t noisy, it’s like a little retreat tucked around the corner. Then you step out and go to the end of the street and you’re in the bustle right in front of the Minster!

This house is part of the Minster’s heritage - it used to belong to it and the precentor’s lived here, hence the name; you feel embedded in that history. It is Georgian, built around 1730, although I suspect that it’s origins are a lot older; in the cellar there are massive stones that are possibly Roman footings.

The natural colour palette was chosen to be soothing, and the design is made to be calming and give it an essence of the Minster. It reflects its ecclesiastical heritage, so you’ll see a few church things around, like a notice board which has details of the Minsters’ services. It is also to reflect its Georgian heritage, with some furniture from that era. And we have a few pieces like a bistro mirror and table from Stephen at The French House on Micklegate.

It’s a very eclectic mix.

You come here because you’re looking for something a bit different. I think guests realise it’s loved and independent, that it has character. People feel comforted because it feels like a family home.”

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No.1 by GuestHouse No.1 by GuestHouse is an impressive boutique hotel with 39 bedrooms situated in the heart of York. Grand luxury combined with a Yorkshire welcome makes it a rather special stay. Rachel Smith tells us more.

“The building is a Grade II Listed Regency townhouse of stately proportions. It has huge, dreamy sash windows, higher-than-high ceilings, a sweeping central staircase, and ivy around the door. It’s grand but friendly. Inside are pantries full of treats, restaurant food, bar drinks, and a spa centred on bespoke therapies.

The designers wanted to create views and glimpses from one space to another to help to entice you in and through each space. They wanted to acknowledge the original Georgian spaces and have a sense of York and its surroundings stepping into the interiors, which slowly reveal themselves.

Each room has its quirks courtesy of the building’s heritage detailing. Anyone could find a part that they are comfortable in.

It’s not predictable, it looks and feels accidental, but there is a real depth of thought and consideration behind it. It really respects the historic building and the city it is in.

The Spa is in the original brick vaulted cellars underneath the hotel.

They feel like warm cocoons, otherwise these interiors are quite simple and celebrate the humbler parts of the original building.

There’s a Crosley Record player in every one room along with a selection of records too, and a welcome pack for our four-legged friends!”

With such a warm welcome for everyone to this uniquely handsome space, No.1 is a happy hotel inside and out.

Words and Photos: -The Parisi Townhouse @stayparisi Meadows Lodge @themeadows_lodge 2 Precentors Court www.fivestaryork.com No.1 by Guesthouse @guesthousehotels

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TALK OF THE TOWN Armley Town Street is that increasingly rare find of a traditional neighbourhood high street, lined with friendly independent shops serving their community. Some old, some new, all essential. Mat Dale took a tour to document these shops and the people behind them for his photographic series ‘Picturing High Streets.’

Skeltons of Armley David Skelton (owner, left) and Mark Hoffman (staff, right) Long-standing local butchers Established 1855 Classic English Fisheries Kamal Jeet Singh (owner) Fish and chip shop, Kamal has been here for 20 years Established 1960s Armley Heel Bar Shoe repairers Established 1980s Armley Big Discount Store Irshad (staff, left) and assistant (right) Discount store franchise Established 2021

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Nadia’s Bridal House Shoppers passing by business Independent wedding dress designs Established 2022 Dare 2 DIY Mr P. Patel (long time staff member) DIY store previously called Jamali’s Hardware since 1990s Established 2020 Wall Street Hookah Mehdi Jahani (owner) Wholesaler and Retailer of Shisha supplies Established 2021 Leon’s Cafe Leon (owner, chef) Family run business with Leon, wife and daughter Established 2020 Armley Heel Bar Keith Walker (shopper, 82, has been shopping on Town Street for 60 years) Shoe repairers Established 1980s Photos: Mat Dale @matdalephoto

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We’ve had our Ups and Downs In 1998, two friends set off on a journey that has accelerated towards 25 years with impressive speed. John Graeme and Rob Milner were selling specialist cars in Harrogate through a main dealer when one day they decided to do it themselves.

“First and foremost, we believed that we could do it better”, John tells us from Redline’s awesome Knaresborough showroom which gives away the ending that indeed they could. The duo may have reached this successful destination, but it’s taken twists and turns since their initial leap of faith.

“We both got a £25K loan, and £50K bought a lot of cars back in the day. Many vehicles were between £2,500 and £5,000 and originally we had room for 20-25 cars.” These were the days before social media and before the internet was a big platform, so it was essential that John and Rob could make this first site work.

There were other practical challenges to overcome too; “It was the age of when cars were having maintenance problems that many don’t seem to have anymore. The clutch would go, a radiator would leak, the exhaust would fall off...” laughs John, safe in the knowledge that these broken vehicles have been replaced with their specialist cars of today.

“We were in our first little location for 10 years, from 1998-2008”, John continues. “We didn’t have a lot of parking and the business kept growing and we needed more cars.” In 2005, John and Rob heard that St James’ Business Park in Knaresborough was going to be developed and had the opportunity to buy an acre of land. “The plan was to develop a big dealership.”

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Having bought the space in 2006 and started building the following year, the dream expansion of Redline was becoming a reality. Then, the financial crisis hit. “We were committed to the build and had everything arranged”, John explains. “I’ll never forget in April ‘08 we had the steel structure up, and we got a call from the bank telling us to find more money as they were revaluing it because of the crisis. It was harsh because the deal was already done.”

On the cusp of something great and the danger of it all being pulled away, the duo called on the support of their parents, family and friends, and between them managed to bring together the extra money. The build was completed in September ‘08 and they moved in a month later to where they still remain. “We had a meeting questioning what we were doing. I remember saying we needed to move in as we still had the old site, which was concerning”, John confirms.

Due to the ongoing credit crisis, Redline could only initially move around 40 cars and not the intended 100. “We just carried on and luckily we were in the right market”, says John. “It took us 3 years to survive after that, for people to consider spending that amount of money again.”

Gradually, they managed to increase trade, began making some profit, reinvesting in the stock, and gained a good local reputation. “The people liked the fact we’d moved here because it gave us credibility”, John confirms. “Our customers stayed with us from the old site to the new, we treated them well and they followed us.”

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As things began to look up, new wider opportunities arrived, which they quickly and skilfully took. “It coincided with web traffic, social media, reviews; it all just fell perfectly into place.” Out of the dark times came the purple patches, as John enthuses. “Social media has really helped us; we started developing that from very early on, creating a strong brand. Fast forward a few years when we had some lovely cars to sell, we got into higher end clients." These include a lot of work with footballers and some long standing relationships with exceptional businesses such as Grantley Hall, which they continue to build.

Of course, in March 2020 another external factor threatened the successful business that Redline had been growing for the past decade. John describes the unprecedented situation which many businesses found themselves in; “We were doing really well, and then, like for everyone else, that was when Covid appeared. There were stresses with money, staff and rent to pay, and interest on huge amounts. The unknown for a few weeks was very worrying.”

Fortunately for Redline, retailers with websites were only closed for 6 weeks, and during that time something unexpected started happening. “We were monitoring the web traffic, and even though we couldn’t sell, noticed a number of enquiries coming in one after another. When we reopened there were 1000 enquiries to sell cars.”

Adapting positively to these changing circumstances, as they had done through two decades of evolving experiences, meant that Redline came out of the other side stronger than ever. “I would say it’s been 2 of the most successful years of our lives”, John states, and not because of covid but their years of hard work. “It was because we had built a great reputation and protected our brand.”

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Moving forwards, Redline continue to learn; “It changed the way we do things, which has ended up being a massive positive. We’re able to look after customers better; I’m very conscious of what the customer expects, making it the best and most comfortable experience for them”, says John.

That experience is one that they want to ensure is inclusive. “By being independent we’re able to present every brand”, he explains. “We sell a lot of Land Rovers, Porsche, Audi, BMW. Prestige cars are our forte but at the same time we do have the fast and the furious; Lamborghinis, Ferraris… We try to cater for everybody.”

Almost 25 years on from that first idea which became their first small site, John and Rob have been through it all together, and they’ve had their ups and downs. It is how well they’ve driven this ride to Knaresborough and beyond that has elevated Redline into a premium specialist car company who retain their original authentic ethos.

Words and Photos: Redline Specialist Cars @redlinespecialistcars redlinespecialistcars.co.uk

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FEMININE TOUCH Visit Berry’s Jewellers in York to see the latest in ladies’ watches from Patek Philippe Since 1839, timepieces for women have always featured prominently in Patek Philippe’s collections – whether as the pocket watches or pendant watches of the nineteenth century or the wristwatches that first emerged in the early twentieth century. Several milestones in the manufacture’s history also relate to watches destined for women, such as the first true wristwatch made in Switzerland, created for a Hungarian countess in 1868, and the Geneva company’s very first striking wristwatch, a five-minute repeater housed in a small platinum case with an integrated chain bracelet in 1916.

In 1999, Patek Philippe launched its first collection dedicated exclusively to women.

The aim was to adapt to the modern lifestyle of the independent active woman with a watch of timeless elegance that would complement her fashionable business and evening wear. For every hour of the day and night, the new Twenty~4 stood out by its contemporary art-deco-inspired “manchette” design, featuring a cambered rectangular case that followed the contours of a woman’s wrist and a metallic bracelet that felt exceptionally smooth and comfortable. Uniting technical excellence and impeccable craftsmanship, it has established itself in the last two decades as one of the manufacture’s best-sellers.

In 2018, Patek Philippe responded to women’s increasing interest in mechanical watches by launching the Twenty~4 Automatic. While its bracelet retained the same exclusive design, with the broad, gently cambered central links framed by delicate two-tier outer links, it stands out by its round case, its bezel lit with a double row of diamonds in a “dentelle” setting, and the applied Arabic numerals on the dial. This model is available in steel and in rose gold, with a choice of dial colours, and in a jewellery version with gem-set crown, lugs and bracelet.

The creative impulse continues today with the three latest Twenty~4 models, so that women now have the choice of twelve lifestyle companions – with either a round or “manchette” design, a quartz or automatic movement, a steel or rose-gold case and bracelet, and a splendid palette of dials, together with diamond-set versions ranging from discreet sparkle to dazzling.

Twenty~4 Reference 4910/1201R-001 pairs an 18K rose-gold case with a chocolate-brown sunburst dial – a warm-toned, refined, feminine combination.

Twenty~4 Automatic Reference 7300/1200A-011 in steel with elegant dial in olive green and presented to great effect with a glowing sunburst decoration.

Twenty~4 Automatic Reference 7300/1200R-011, sculpted in rose gold with a dial gilded with a rose-gold sunburst, applied Arabic numerals and the frame of the date aperture all fashioned in the same precious metal.

The Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Collection is available to view at Berry’s Jewellers. For more information, or to speak to a Berry’s watch specialist, call 01904 654 104, emailcustomerservice@berrysyork.co.uk or visit the store at 52 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS.

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YORK'S BEST ADDRESS Elegant bedrooms | Fine-Dining Restaurant | Spa | Cookery School | Meeting and Event Suites Concierge Service | Weddings | Afternoon Tea | Restaurant and Terrace | Lounge Bar WWW.THEGRANDYORK.CO.UK

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Legacy offers an iconic setting with a modern British and Yorkshire-inspired eight course tasting menu alongside an exceptional wine list. Situated in The Grand, York a five star hotel in the heart of the city.

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TAKING BACK OUR LAND An admirable organisation are doing great work to preserve pieces of nature in Leeds. Josh Lawson, a member of this inspiring cooperative, describes the positive impact of Leeds Coppice Workers.

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Formed in 2012, Leeds Coppice Workers is a workers cooperative committed to restoring and managing neglected coppice woodland in the Leeds area. Our aim is to create woodland related jobs for our members and to promote the use of locally sourced woodland products. We also aim to reintegrate local people to their woodlands, show how woodlands can be managed in sustainable and ecologically sound ways, and to train and share skills in woodland related activities.

As a result of the timber industry favouring fast growing non native trees and the availability of cheaper imports, Britain lost 90% of its coppice woodland. This had a huge impact on the biodiversity of our woodlands, which is evident in the declining numbers of the Hazel Dormouse. A big challenge for us is the lack of financial support in working to restore coppice woodland back to a productive state, and we typically manage woods for free, due to the constraints many groups are under in terms of funding - in exchange for product we can remove - there’s an incredible amount of hard work needed to make the figures stack up.

For many small scale coppice workers it’s important that we make use of as much of the wood that we cut as possible. For the last few years we have been working closely with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency to supply and install natural flood defences known as Fascines. These are bundles of brashwood tied together that when fixed to steep slopes or river banks help trap silt and slow rain water run off to combat erosion. You may see our fascine installations whilst visiting Gledhow Valley Woods, Post Hill Woods or Meanwood Park.

What is coppicing? In a nutshell, when broadleaf trees are cut at ground level they don’t die but respond by regenerating and sending up new shoots in spring. It’s this natural and centuries old process that we exploit to provide a renewable source of timber that can be harvested time and time again, without the need to plant new trees and disturb the woodland ecosystem with large and polluting machinery.

Coppiced woodlands are an ecological rich and diverse habitat that supports a much richer biodiversity than deciduous woodlands and other forms of woodland management. The process of cutting small areas of woodland in this way has a plethora of benefits - by creating a mosaic of ages within a woodland we are making a dynamic environment for its inhabitants. Allowing light down to the woodland floor activates the dormant seed bank and presents opportunities for wildflowers to spread which in turn benefits butterflies, pollinators and all the way up the food chain. The stability of the habitat encourages a rich and stable ecology, whilst providing a yield of useful woodland products.

Through our woodland activities we are able to supply people with a great range of local and sustainable woodland products, from firewood and charcoal to garden products like bean poles and pea sticks. Buying from us means low embodied energy and transport emissions, whilst our customers are also supporting the management of rich wildlife habitats, supporting rural jobs and keeping ancient skills and traditions alive.

It’s always been a goal of LCW to reintegrate people with their woodlands. But over the years we’ve come to realise that we in part rely on help from volunteers and the support of other organisations in and around Leeds. It’s a symbiotic relationship and we are always on the lookout for dedicated people and groups with a passion for nature to come and help out, so if that appeals to you, please get involved.

Words and Photos: Aled Jones and Joshua Lawson @leedscoppiceworkers

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A Georgian gem in the heart of Haworth

Locally sourced native breed meats and seafood cooked to perfection on the Josper Charcoal grill.

103 Main Street, Haworth. BD22 8DT

thehawthornhaworth

enquiries@thehawthornhaworth.co.uk105

YORKSHIRE TRIPPING

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HAWORTH 20 miles west of Leeds, in the postcode of Bradford, lies a small village famous beyond its size. Located in the Worth Valley amid the Pennines, Haworth attracts hordes of weekend visitors to enjoy the timeless English charms of this delightful piece of Yorkshire.

Haworth is known globally as the home of the Bronte sisters, and this claim to fame makes it a literary mecca for fans around the world. The sweeping surroundings still create a feel reminiscent of their novels, and whether walking across the stunning Haworth Moor or touring the handsome Bronte Parsonage Museum, their presence remains strong.

The Parsonage was the Bronte family home in the 19th century and where they wrote classics including Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey and Jane Eyre. Now it is a wonderful celebration of their lives and work housed in the original Grade I listed building. Another important site is The Old School Room, built by and school of the Bronte family, which is now a unique event space and in particular a special wedding venue.

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Beyond the Brontes, there are many more attractions to enjoy here. The main street is a pretty cobbled hill which rises past independent shops, cosy cafes, local pubs and delicious restaurants. Days can be spent perusing the extraordinary gifts, inspired books, vintage fashion and boutique homeware at Cabinet of Curiosities, Wave of Nostalgia, The Souk and Pretty Penny respectively.

There is no shortage of inviting places to stop and enjoy a warming drink and a homemade bite to eat. Cobbles and Clay is a friendly place which is great for kids to do some pottery painting and great for adults to relax into tea and cake. More of the same can be indulged in at 10 The Coffee House, who serve superb coffee and cake or perhaps an English cream tea in this quintessential setting.

For something stronger, Haworth offers a fine selection of tempting traditional pubs. The King's Arms, The Black Bull, The Fleece Inn and Haworth Old Hall all pull perfect pints of Yorkshire ale in proper atmospheres that make you want to settle in. Tap & Tonic provides something a little different, as a more modern bar which specialises in gorgeous gins, wonderful wines and spirit raising vibes.

While Haworth Steam Brewery combines it all, with their own brewed beers, Haworth Gins and Gascoigne's Yorkshire Tonics, in an equally inviting interior.

Those drinking establishments between them cook up a mean pie and Sunday lunch, and there are specialist restaurants to eat out at in town too. The Hawthorn is a Georgian gem with a passion for food that shows in elegant dishes of local seasonal produce. The Treehouse Bar & Kitchen is an exciting eatery with a buzz accentuated by pizzas and burgers. Whilst Pave is a charcuterie and bistro cooking continental classics and serving beautiful boards.

You can stay overnight at some lovely accommodation, perhaps taking in a modern film at the traditional Haworth Cinema. Or you can return home, perhaps via the heritage Worth Valley Railway steam train, undoubtedly satisfied after a fine day out.

Photos: Dave Zdanowicz @davez_uk

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SALTAIRE On the edge of Bradford and only 12 miles from Leeds, there is a distinctive village with a character that is both down to earth and aspirational. Saltaire is an immediately attractive vision of Yorkshire, with handsome Victorian buildings nearby the passing Leeds Liverpool Canal. It was built in 1851 by Sir Titus Salt who named it after himself and the River Aire which also runs through, and since 2001 Saltaire has been a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Unsurprisingly, it is a delightful place to visit, and today is filled with marvellous modern businesses maintaining Saltaire's individual charm and style. Its most famous attraction, Salts Mill, has been here since 1987, when the galleries opened in the village's grand old textile mill, exhibiting art by David Hockney and attracting folk from all over Yorkshire and beyond. Now, the impressive site contains multiple reasons to visit, including a diner and book shop as well as the inspiring galleries.

Elsewhere, there is plenty to discover without venturing far. The other significant building here is Victoria Hall, an imposing structure which is now an event space for weddings, parties and conferences that are sure to be special. After a wander around the other buildings in Saltaire you will find unique independent shops, bars, cafes and restaurants within.

Unique finds can be discovered in a number of characterful shops; Rad Studio is a stylish store selling gifts, homeware and other accessories that will make you smile.

The Saltaire Vintage Shop does what its name describes impeccably, as expert antique and vintage dealers stock a great range of treasures. Mr Whetstone is an admirable sustainable store where you can pick up low waste and reusable products, from foods to beauty. Another environmentally sound refill shop also doubles up as an attractive gallery and coffee shop, as Giddy Arts provides many reasons to visit.

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More quality coffee can be sipped in Saltaire's relaxing cafes. Tambourine Coffee pride themselves on the highest quality speciality coffee in a lovely laid back space.

The Quaffery extend the choice to include an espresso bar, tea bar, chocolate bar, milkshake bar and more, all excellent. Or you can get healthy and holistic at Dandelion Cafe, who serve exciting and fresh vegan food as well as hosting Heather Yoga classes.

Whilst Saltaire provides a beautiful day out, it also offers an equal array of attractions into the night. Dine out on authentic and elegant Indian cuisine at Jinnah Bistro, or on award winning Neapolitan pizza at Il Pirata Pizzata. Traditional classics are cooked up at The Boathouse Inn, a contemporary pub restaurant set scenically in a refurbished riverside boathouse.

It is believed that Saltaire historically banned alcohol from the village, with no pubs allowed here. Today, that is most definitely not the case, and there are some wonderful bars to crawl around. From wine and cocktails at Tallulah’s Wine Bar to draught ales at the cosy Cap and Collar, plus Saltaire even has its own successful breweries. Saltaire Brewery is actually located down the road in Shipley, but in the centre of the village is Salt Brew Co. who serve their fresh brews at the fabulous Salt Beer Factory taproom.

And if you want to take a tipple or two home with you, newcomer Cultures is a deli and draughthouse to enjoy in or take away in refill bottles - an apt way to toast the wonders of Saltaire.

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Shizukuishi. A land of majestic white birch groves.

A spring of constant inspiration for Grand Seiko.

Here, light and shadow are in dynamic harmony.

And Time is etched with intricate precision.

Here, the TAKUMI infuse the essence of Nature into each and every timepiece, bringing its true beauty to life.

Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture

Evolution 9 Collection SLGH005 Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours Caliber 9SA5

52 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS

190x277mm_Berrys_GS_SLGH005.indd 1

122 Grey Street, Newcastle, NE1 6JG

grand-seiko.com

12 Poultry, Nottingham, NG1 2HW

10/10/2022 14:26

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