As fishermen accuse the government of betrayal and selling them out, Michael Gove’s words are about to come back to haunt him. In 2016, he accused the EU of being a “job destroying machine”. Four years on he has become an industry destroyer.
Richard Claxton reports on the work of non-profit group Humane Being in their efforts to put an end to factory farming. Represented by renowned QC, Michael Mansfield, and with the support of the RPCA, Humane Being have launched a crowdfunder to support their bid to end the practice.
One thing is clear. We desperately need to ensure the survival of what remains of our local and regional newspapers, already depleted in terms of the number of journalists working on them and the drastic falls in circulation, especially with the pandemic.
Jane Thomas analyses Keir Starmer’s latest speech and a change of tone from the leader of the opposition. “Starmer is right – in 2021 we need to write a new chapter, and we do need to build back better. But in the meantime we need to protect the most vulnerable and have a viable exit strategy for the awfulness that currently envelopes the country”.
So, if I cannot roller skate around the park then I will navigate this new lockdown with my tiny army by my side. I shall continue to gaze longingly at my skates whilst I paint away my lockdown blues … with a fabulous shade of Warhammer Blue!
Jimmy Andrex reviews the pie of the week – this time from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. “At the end of our walk, seeking refuge from a grim sense of foreboding, I greeted the news that my favourite pie – steak, ale and Henderson’s Relish – was on the specials board with the same relief as when I heard about the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.”
Andy Brown looks at how the pandemic has already reshaped society, and what we can do to make these changes into beneficial ones. As people move out to the country, and the government steps in to prop up markets, maybe we need to be more imaginative about how we utilise this change for good.
s we begin 2021, it is absolutely critical we have a plan that will ensure the sector can bounce back more strongly once enough people are vaccinated, to ensure that we are through the worst of the pandemic. The first part of that plan must involve working with the government to form a common understanding as to how and when the sector can safely reopen as early as possible in 2021.
Natalie Bennett, Green Party Peer, provides a deep dive into her first full year in the House of Lords, looking at the many different contexts in which she’s mentioned Sheffield.
Peter Norcliffe reminisces about biplanes, old money, and ‘Doctor Dan’s Health Drink’ in his latest column. ” Not for me a train driver or firefighter – both very noble causes, of course, but I’m sure you will agree, not in the same league as a milk man with a black and white horse.”
Jimmy Andrex reviews the pie of the week – this time from William Noble Family Butchers in Wakefield. “A Noble’s steak pie is an everyday celebration of wholesome certainty; like a grittier version of The Waltons. They’re freshly made every day, the oven’s in the shop and the smell when they open the door should be regulated by some sort of statute”.
Richard Corbett is someone whose contribution to creating a better, more tolerant society for us locally as well as in wider Europe has been recognised with a CBE in the New Year’s honours list. Yorkshire is proud to have enjoyed his dedication to the region, and we wholeheartedly congratulate him on this, the latest in a long line of richly deserved accolades.
We look at our fourv’People of the Year’ for 2020: telling the stories of Marcus Rashford, Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Katy Honor writes about the Settle Hub, a local forum which has adapted so people can gather during these troubled times. “Pre-covid, the Hub was a focal point for local residents, charities and businesses to find out what was going on locally and connect. Now, Zoom drop-ins are available for people who are unable or unwilling to travel into town.”
Michael Meredith describes the thought process behind the ‘Ecological Owlthorpe’ project, which starts from the position only by co-operating with nature that we can safely live with nature.
Liz Truss claimed this week that at her comprehensive school in Leeds, she was taught more about racism and sexism than she was about English and maths. Daphne Franks, who also attended this school (as did her brother and her son) offers this response.
WASPI women in Yorkshire have been let down by the government over state pensions: they tell us what they are campaigning for. “The plight of many WASPI women is desperate, with many struggling to work, pay the bills, put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Shame on the courts and governments for not seeing the discrimination we have suffered, but shame on us if we give up the fight.”
Pen Hemingway looks back at the 1833 Boxing Day Stillingfleet Tragedy and delves through the witness accounts and historical records to piece together what happened. Her research revealed surprising links to her own family.
Norky goes back to the early fifties to recall a time when some things were scarcer, but the magic of his childhood Christmas lives on in his memories.
Jimmy Andrex reviews the pie of the week – this time from Cryer & Stott, at Castleford market. “If you ever had sex better than this pie you’re either a liar or I need to get to know you better. If you ever took drugs better than this pie, you must be on drugs – cheap, bad ones that make you think the traffic in South Elmsall are crocodiles.”
James Powell looks at the latest outbreak of bird flu in Northallerton, Yorkshire, and asks if we need to eat so much meat given the associated risks to ourselves, the planet, and the birds themselves. “A shift towards veganism no longer seems like a utopian ideal, but an effective measure in defending us from further pandemics”.
Leeds-based Chapel FM Arts Centre has finished a refurbishment to renovate its heating system to make it greener and more eco-friendly. The new venue, set to open in the spring of 2021 (pending Covid-19 regulations), also features a community café, a large hall that will enable a wide-range of new arts and wellbeing offers, meeting rooms, outdoor seating and other features.
Peter Norcliffe’s latest piece goes into local history, older agricultural practises and his memories of his uncle’s tractor.
Air pollution is deadly. That is a fact we can’t hide from any longer. This week, a coroner ruled that dangerous levels of air pollution “made a material contribution” to the death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah in Central London. Before her death of a severe asthma attack in February 2013, Ella endured numerous seizures and […]
Meryl White’s latest recipe for the Christmas season delves into history, Queen Victoria, and Christmas tradition!
In troubled times, with rampant division, there remains one part of our culture about which there must surely be widespread unity, especially in the forgotten land of the North of England: Pies.
Ian Kinsey tells the story of Sir James Douglas, a feared lieutenant of Robert the Bruce known as The Black Douglas. The Black Douglas was instrumental in achieving Scotland’s independence, and came close to capturing York itself after the battle of Myton.
Lisa Burton writes on the need to confront our worst instincts in tackling racism, particularly in regards to immigration and crime. She gives examples from football coaches to the Church of England and Catholic Church, to show that many still escape the consequences of their actions, while migrants are scapegoated and ostracised.
Sarah Sonne from the Refugee Council, talks about her group’s efforts to champion the basic rights of asylum seekers in the UK. Working to provide food, legal aid, and basic support to those in the most need in the country.
Juliet Lodge looks at how the European Union is moving its docucmentation processes online with e-visas, and the challenges this presents. “So the new e-visa procedures illustrate the importance to successful policy implementation of ascertaining, anticipating and addressing potential concerns at the outset. “