Eastside July 2026

Easts

E Eastside

Richard Abbey Executive Editor

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Arts/Culture

The Diary

Farming, food and theCOUNTRYSIDE

The countdown is on to the 167th Great Yorkshire Show.

The countdown is on to the 167th Great Yorkshire Show with tickets selling fast for the grand celebration of farming, food and the countryside in Harrogate on Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 July 2026.

Show Director Rachel Coates said: “I’m really looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show for four days of celebration as we showcase every aspect of what makes the countryside such a special place.

“As well as being a great day out for all the family, the Great Yorkshire Show puts farming, food and the countryside centre stage to highlight excellence in the way our food is produced and the landscape is managed. Behind all of this are hardworking families and innovative businesses who, like everyone else, are battling rising

people to buy British and back local producers.”

The Great Yorkshire Show brings together the very best of British agriculture, featuring 8,500 animals, cutting-edge machinery and technology, the very best and shopping.

In the Main Ring, there will be daily performances by motorbike stunt riding team The Bolddog FMX as well as worldclass showjumping. The Food Hall is a celebration of food producers, including a dedicated Cheese and Dairy Show, and the very latest innovations shaping the future of farming are celebrated in the Agri-Innovation Village and machinery demonstration ring.

Allister Nixon, CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society which organises the Show said: “This is a really exciting time, following months of planning at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, with the input of hundreds of stewards and dedicated volunteers as we start the

Society works throughout the year to champion the industry, and it’s all brought together for four days of competition and celebration in support of everyone connected with the countryside.”

The 2026 Show has the prestige of hosting two national livestock shows, for Zwartbles sheep and Charolais cattle. Martin Preston is President of the Zwartbles Sheep Association and farms in Bingley, West Yorkshire where he and his son Harry are preparing Zwartbles from Show.

his grandfather into farming, Martin has been coming to the Show since 1989 and

Wright will be at the Great Yorkshire Show on 15 July

said: “It’s the biggest show in England and people come from all over to be part of it. The Show is very popular with Zwartbles breeders across the country and for us, it’s the biggest part of our year. It’s where we see our friends and there’s great pride in having a show like this so local to us.”

A host of TV stars have been unveiled for this year’s Great Yorkshire Show where they will take to the stage for daily chat shows and meet visitors.

Kelvin and Liz Fletcher of ITV’s Fletchers on the Farm will appear on Tuesday, Peter Wright of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet will appear on Wednesday, Jules Hudson of BBC’s Escape to the Country will appear on Thursday and Harriet Cowan, who featured in Clarkson’s Farm, will appear on Friday.

The Ariat GYS Stage is hosted by TV Presenter Christine Talbot with chat shows running twice a day at 12noon and 3pm followed by meet & greets with the celebrities.

There will also be two fashion shows a day on the stage at 11am and 2pm featuring leading Yorkshire and UK clothing and footwear brands.

High-tech solutions to farming’s big challenges will also take centre stage in a new hydrogen-powered Agri-Innovation Village.

With energy security, climate volatility

businesses, the Agri-Innovation Village will showcase the digital and technological advances that can help the industry become more resilient.

Dr Dave George, Chair of the Farmer Scientist Network, said: “There is no better platform than the Great Yorkshire Show to inspire farmers and the public about the exciting ways in which agricultural challenges are being met by innovative technology, solutions that can make

It is a great feat to have the Agri-Innovation Village powered by hydrogen. It shows the potential for using this technology to tackle energy security, which is such a topical issue at the moment. Come and see how agriculture is at the cutting-edge of innovation.”

The Great Yorkshire Show attracts 140,000 visitors and has sold out before the event every year since tickets went to advance sales only in 2021. Tickets are available to purchase in advance only at the same prices as last year: Adults £36.50, Children £13 and Families £89. To book tickets, please visit www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ ticket-information

Exhibition Theatre

Mike Nelson: M62 (East, West)

12 July-30 August

Leeds Art Gallery museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk

M62 (East, West) (2025) is a new commission by British artist Mike Nelson which forms the latest edition of a serial work that utilises blown-out tyres gathered from major road systems of cities across the world.

The series began in 2013 with M6, titled after the motorway which passes through Birmingham, and was followed by A7 (Route du Soleil) in Lyon, France (2015), A52 in Düsseldorf, Germany (2017) and M25 in London (2023). Each work is different in its formal language, but the primary material — blown-out tyres —

Part of the point of these works is that each tyre, whether whole or in fragments, is unique. Not one of them is the same, although each one shares the same history of its manufacture, and each has gone through a violent — and creative — process of demise as a functional object.

For Leeds Art Gallery, Nelson took the nearby M62 as his point of focus with its east to west axis. Two works have been created that although different, appear the same. These two doppelgängers encourage close study – similar to a game of ‘spot the difference’. This act of looking encourages us to focus on the tyres — utilitarian objects that would normally be passed without scrutiny. To accentuate this sense of doubling, two sections of motorway barrier have been incorporated and mounted onto a concrete platform with a chamfered edge, recalling the central reservation of road systems. M62 (East) and M62 (West) have been conceived to be viewed together or presented in separate galleries, invoking a sense of déjà vu.

Events

Pride of Yorkshire

1 June-30 September

Various locations

prideofyorkshire.org

This exciting initiative by Children’s Hospital Charity will see lions forming a free public arts exhibition across Rotherham,

Children’s Hospital.

Caged Steel 43

4 July / Doncaster Dome www.caged-steel.co.uk

Professional MMA, Amateur MMA, Caged Boxing and Caged Kickboxing (K1), this is one of the UK’s most

Free Guided Themed Walks

26 July

Carr Lane, DN4 5AA www.fohpc.org.uk

Explore Doncaster’s past with a series of free, themed guided walks hosted by the Friends of Hyde Park Cemetery. Each walk uncovers a different side of the city’s history-

of crime, sport and even the wildlife that calls the cemetery home.

Oh Zeus!

3-4 July

Cast Doncaster castindoncaster.com

When the stability of Olympus is threatened by the marriage of Zeus’s daughter Hebe to a mere mortal, the King of the Gods hatches a plan to derail the wedding.

Three actors play 40 characters in this mythical farce through Ancient Greece, the Underworld and back. Expect sensational physical comedy, outrageous jokes, fast paced chaos, and more togas than you can smash a plate at.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

23-26 July

City Varieties Music Hall leedsheritagetheatres.com

Leeds Grand Youth Theatre presents its version of this Broadway classic. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice.

The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Ballet

Twelve Dancing Princesses

2-4 July

Leeds Carriageworks Theatre www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk

princesses; a grieving King and a cold, power-hungry Duchess set the stage for enchantment and danger.

When the Duchess enforces harsh rules and threatens their father’s throne, Genevieve and her sisters escape through a secret doorway into a radiant magical kingdom - a place their late mother once dreamed of.

With the help of a kind-hearted cobbler, the princesses must outwit the Duchess, save their father, and restore harmony to their world.

Inspired by the Brothers Grimm tale, this enchanting ballet shimmers with mystery, courage, and the timeless magic of dance.

Music

Summer Series

26 June-11 July

Millennium Square, Leeds www.millsqleeds.com

Millennium Square is set to host a series of standout live music concerts this summer as it prepares to welcome audiences back for the annual Summer Series. Set against the striking backdrop of Leeds Civic Hall, the Summer Series features a mix of emerging artists and globally renowned acts, once again establishing Millennium Square as a key summer destination for live music.

Alabama Shakes play 1 July and will be followed by Tom Odell (4 July), Wet Leg and English Teacher (9 July), The Human League and ABC (10 July) and The Cribs (11 July).

Kings Of Leon

6 July / First Direct Bank Arena

From the searing blues riffs and garbled vocals of their debut, nobody would have earmarked Kings Of Leon as future arena-packing hitmakers. Yet some sharp haircuts and a minor revamp and the brothers (and cousin) Followill metamorphosed from the Bayou Strokes to platinum chart-toppers.

Bootleg Blondie

9 July / Harrogate Theatre www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk

Endorsed by the real Blondie and having had the honour of being mentioned on the band’s latest studio album Pollinator, this is the closest you’ll get to the real thing. Lead vocalist Debbie Harris has the looks, the voice and the attitude of the original Blondie bombshell and, like her heroine, is typically outrageous on stage!

The Ultimate 80s Live After Racing

18 July / Doncaster Racecourse www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk

Get ready to relive the best of the 80s with an evening at the races you won’t forget! As part of the Meadowhall Summer Saturday Series, we’re bringing you a race evening like no other.From big hair and bold beats to timeless

it’s the perfect way to round off a fantastic summer day at Doncaster.

The Human League will form part of the Summer Series at Leeds’s Millennium Square

Food & Drink

Theatre Tour & Gin Tasting Experience

11 July-1 August / Harrogate Theatre www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk

Discover the history of Harrogate’s beautiful Victorian theatre on a behindthe-scenes guided tour, then join expert bar staff for an extra special tasting experience featuring their own exclusive Harrogate Theatre Gin and other local gins from Sing Gin. You will also be given the opportunity to take the spirit of the theatre home with you, as bottles of Harrogate Theatre Gin will be available to purchase on the evening.

Film

Minions & Monsters

3 July

Follows the Minions in 1920s Hollywood as they search for frightening creatures for their monster movie, partner with a green creature, and must save the planet after unleashing monsters.

The Odyssey

17 July

The Sound of Music

9 July-1 August / Leeds Grand Theatre leedsheritagetheatres.com

It’s the classic musical you know and love, brought to glorious life by our live 40-piece Orchestra and a stellar cast featuring the Chorus of Opera North. Complete with the same

have captured thousands worldwide in the last 60 years – Do-Re-Mi, My Favourite Things, Edelweiss and more.

Christopher Nolan’s re-telling of the Trojan War is set to be this summer’s biggest epic and sees Odysseus (Matt Damon) face a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way. It also stars Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

31 July

With his identity now secret once again, a forgotten Peter Parker (Tom Holland) lives alone as a full-time Spider-Man until mounting pressure triggers a dangerous change and a powerful new enemy emerges.

Whatshisname’s Balloon dog sculptures at Victoria Leeds

It’s getting HOT IN HERE!

Leeds is looking glorious in the sunshine, writes Jordan Odu, with lots of fantastic outdoor spaces to make the most of the weather.

Summer has well and truly arrived and, honestly, it’s just the best time of year. For around ten months of the year we complain about the rain, the cold and the endless grey skies, then the minute temperatures creep above 25 degrees we’re all wondering whether we’ve remembered to buy a fan.

But despite the annual panic, there’s no denying that Britain absolutely loves

patch of grass becomes a picnic spot and everyone’s in such a good mood. Leeds has been looking particularly lovely lately, with terraces, rooftops and riverside spots packed with people making the most of these long summer evenings.

And with all this alfresco living comes the perfect excuse to eat and drink outside at every opportunity. One opening that’s guaranteed to become a lunchtime favourite inside Green Room this month. Bringing together quality local ingredients, freshly baked bread and classic deli-inspired

exceptionally well. Forget sad supermarket sandwiches eaten at your desk. These are proper sandos worth making a trip for. Big

sort of lunch you want to enjoy sitting on one of the best outdoor terraces in the city.

Talking of sunny spots, Whitehall Restaurant and Bar continues to be one of the city’s best spots for after-work drinks. Their outdoor terrace is such a hidden gem, attracting city workers looking to swap spreadsheets for spritzes, and to enjoy some of the best food in the city. The launch of a refreshed menu and a new cocktail offering makes it the perfect spot to head to this summer. Few things beat sitting outside with friends with a cold drink in hand.

Another venue making waves this summer is Sardinian restaurant Domo, which has quickly become one of Leeds’s most talked-about new dining destinations. Perched beside the canal at Tower Works, it’s a genuine sun trap that really brings a taste of the Med to Leeds. With exceptional drinks, delicious Sardinian soul food, it really is somewhere you need to try.

Of course, this summer also means football, and the FIFA Club World Cup is gathering momentum. It’s always good to have live football on during the warmer months, but I’m not entirely sold on some of the late-night kick-off times. Going to the pub for a match that kicks off after 10pm sounds like a brilliant idea right up until the alarm starts blaring the next morning!

Back in the city centre, Victoria Leeds milestones this month with a colourful celebration that promises to brighten up summer even further. This year marks both 20 years of Leeds Pride and ten years of Victoria Leeds, and to celebrate its hosting a six-week exhibition featuring internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Whatshisname’s Balloon dog sculptures. It’s exactly the sort of activation that adds energy and personality to the city, giving people another reason to spend time exploring Leeds this summer, plus keep an eye out for lots of giveaways in the centre at weekends.

Meanwhile, one of Leeds’ most beautiful restaurants is preparing for an exciting new chapter. The Cut & Craft has announced a £1.5million expansion at Victoria Leeds adding lots more spaces to enjoy in the venue. The interior design is inspired by Wallace Hartley, the musician who once performed at Leeds’s historic Collinson’s Café, (which, if you know your history, once occupied the same building) before famously becoming bandleader aboard the

The plans sound amazing and will create a chic new bar, two private dining spaces and a lounge for live music. I cannot wait to check it out when it opens this month.

Alongside the sunshine and socialising, there’s a genuine sense of excitement across the city. New openings, huge events, fresh experiences and plenty of

opportunities to enjoy everything Leeds has to offer.

So, whether you’re watching football, exploring an art exhibition, discovering a terrace for a well-earned cocktail, now feels like the perfect time to get out and enjoy our city.

Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Sellers WANTED!

hether you know your Marvel from your DC or your Stan Lee from your Joe Shuster, if you are sitting on a hoard or vintage comic books and are unsure what to do with them there’s a Yorkshire business ready to come to your rescue.

month, World of Superheroes specialises in the trade of comic books – as well as other memorabilia – and is now, by volume, Europe’s biggest buyer and seller of vintage comics.

At present, the warehouse on Holbrook Industrial Estate is home around 300,000 different comic books. These range from classic varieties to modern interpretations and cover mainly American (DC and Marvel) comics as well as everything in between.

Owner Steve Eyre has been a lifelong collector of comic books but decided to turn his hobby into a business in 2020.

Steve has been buying up collections and then selling them on either as oneoff pieces or in bundles via World of Superheroes’ online shop or through their dedicated eBay site.

Such is the breadth of their collection and reputation, World of Superheroes deliver all over the world.

To keep your comic books in pristine condition, World of Superheroes now stock their own branded bags, boards and holders.

Alongside the comic books, original artwork has grown massively in popularity (and price) and includes everything from storyboards to posters. Steve has just taken

receipt of some Judge Dredd artwork by Pete Smith, which is unusual in that it is a complete story – usually these pieces only appear as individual pages.

Steve also has some original paintings by storyboard artist Robert Bailey, who previously worked with George Lucas of Star Wars fame, as well as work by John Higgins and signed pieces from Stan Lee, Siegel and Shuster and Bob Kane.

centre and close to the tram network. It is open to visitors by appointment and Steve is happy to give people a tour.

Part shop, part gallery, for fans of comic books, it’s truly out of this world.

Visit more.

Restoring a nationalTREASURE

The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust is almost ten years into its long-term regeneration project of this great country house. We spoke to chief executive Sarah McLeod about progress, inclusivity and future plans for the estate.

Often referred to as the ‘Palace of the North’, Wentworth Woodhouse is arguably the most exciting and challenging regeneration project of our generation.

The house was built for the 1st Marquess of Rockingham around 1725 before being passed to the Fitzwilliam family four decades later and has largely been a private

residence for the last 300 years.

Wentworth Woodhouse is best known for having the longest principle façade of any country house in the UK – a 1720s Baroque west front and larger 1730s Palladian east front – which contain more grand rooms than Buckingham Palace. In total the house has over 300 rooms, the most important being a double-height marble saloon,

pillared lower hall, painted drawing room, library and Whistlejacket room. And not forgetting the 87 acres of beautiful grounds. Following World War II, where the house served as the Training Depot and Headquarters of the Intelligence Corps, it was leased to the West Riding County Council for use as a teacher training college. In 1950 the house became the

“Wentworth Woodhouse was on my radar because I knew it was a project that everybody was talking about. It’s got a funny magnetism, it draws people in.”

Lady Mabel College of Physical Education, Polytechnic. Then in 1986, the polytechnic property.

In 1989 it was purchased by Mr Wensley Haydon-Baillie for use as a private residence and then sold again to Mr Clifford Newbold and his family in 1998.

In 2017 the Newbolds sold the house to the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT), who have now been charged with bringing this palace back to life.

Led by chief executive Sarah McLeod, the trust’s aims are to preserve the house and grounds on a long-term sustainable uses for those parts of the property not open

to the public; and to raise funds for both acquisition and repairs and other essentials.

WWPT, a charitable company limited by guarantee, estimate the costs to achieve this to be around £200million – all of which must be raised by themselves.

“There was nothing here, it wasn’t a visitor attraction and there was water pouring in everywhere,” Sarah recalls of those early days. “And there was no money, nothing, we had to start a business from scratch.”

Sarah is no stranger to heritage projects and joined the trust after 16 years at Cromford Mills, where she won a Europa Nostra award. Although she confessed to knowing nothing about stately homes.

“I’d never worked in a stately home in my life but in conservation terms, the principles are all the same,” she says. “Wentworth Woodhouse was on my radar because I knew it was a project that everybody was talking about. It’s got a funny magnetism, it draws people in.”

Daunted as she may have been, Sarah has embraced the challenge and over the last nine years the trust has completed over £30million-worth of improvements, including that leaky roof and much more.

Wentworth Woodhouse now operates as a visitor attraction six days a week, albeit as an ongoing restoration project, and last year attracted 180,000 visitors. It employs over 100 paid staff and has over 400 active volunteers, many of whom work full-time.

“We’ve come a long way from nothing to be what we are today,” adds Sarah. “Every year it becomes more expensive to be here because we’ve got more staff, we’re using more of the building…

“We’ve had amazing support from people like the National Trust but we really rely heavily on every single cup of tea we sell, every donation we receive. It’s critical to the survival of the trust.”

from scratch has actually given the trust an advantage as they have been to rebuild to implement their own philosophy, which ensures the house is open to absolutely everybody.

“Houses like this are very white, very middle class and we’ve turned that on its head,” explains Sarah. “We said if we’re going to do this it’s got to be for everybody, we’ve got to be able to bring opportunity to people’s lives that they didn’t have before. Otherwise what’s the point in raising £200million to restore a building when you’ve got people in food bank?”

Creating these opportunities extends far beyond encouraging people to visit the house but in how they can contribute to

its restoration and maintenance. One of the trust’s next big projects is the creation of a Heritage Skills Centre of Excellence alongside Chatsworth and York Minster.

people to consider heritage maintenance as a career.

“I got into a lot of schools and nobody knows about heritage skills as a career,” says Sarah. “If you go to any construction courses in South Yorkshire, none of them teach pre-1919 buildings. We have got a massive historic stock of buildings, we just don’t have the skills for people to restore, repair and maintain them.”

As well as providing training, the skills centre will also aim to connect people

communities and making the economy in this part of the world stronger.

Similarly, Wentworth Woodhouse also grounds have regularly been used for production companies lamented the skills shortage in the sector.

“We thought that was crazy as we’ve got loads of unemployed people in this part of the world,” explains Sarah. “We managed to get funding to do skills training and now have a production team. The idea is when insist they take our trainees as runners on

create its own YouTube channel, with posts weekly and is an extra way of supporting them through views and subscriptions.

Sarah is keen to embrace technology and from August headset tours will become standard with any ticketed entry to the house and gardens. These will tell you about the history of the house but also about the restoration as well.

The Heritage Skills Centre of Excellence is just one of three major projects being undertaken at present. The trust are also restoring the chapel but perhaps the biggest and most ambitious is called ‘Putting Our House in Order’, a £50million project that aims to restore all state rooms as world class gallery space. This would include major infrastructure investment and reposition Wentworth as not just a visitor attraction but as a leading cultural venue as well.

“I’d like to think I will get these project done before I retire, that’s my challenge,” says 59-year-old Sarah. “I would be really happy to hand it over at that point to

things will have been done. That’s not to say there won’t be challenging stuff ahead.”

taste of the national spotlight last year when it hosted the RHS Flower Show, which Sarah believes brought an extra 60,000 visitors through their gates. Such was its success that discussions are already underway to bring the show back in 2028 and every three years thereafter.

So why did the RHS choose Wentworth?

“We have started to build a really good reputation across the UK for inclusion and diversity on a level that other stately homes really struggle with,” explains Sarah. “The RHS are really determined to engage young people and low income families to get involved with gardening. They best way for them to do that is to go out into those communities and this is the perfect location in that sense.”

Image © Carl Whitham

It all comes back to the trust being able to set an agenda from the beginning and rebuilding the house in a way that they believe it should be.

“It is about restoration to the highest standard and creating a visitor experience, but ultimately it’s about helping everybody in this part of the world to maximise their potential,” concludes Sarah.

They’ve certainly achieved a lot in a short space of time and have much more to come.

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has always been a big part of Northside, and over the years we have put a host of luxury cars through their paces. In 2015, to coincide with the launch of the latest James Bond movie Spectre, Northside’s Adam Kay was given the opportunity to live out his Bond fantasies behind the wheel of the latest Aston Martin, the DB9

to a viewing of one of Bond’s most iconic cars, the Aston Martin DB10, and a chat with Bond stunt driver Mark Higgins. Elsewhere we have produced special Y editions for the Great YoorkshireShow as well as supplements for the likes of Redbrik Mill and the Victoria Quarter in Leeds.

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surrounding Crystal Peaks, Mosborough and Handsworth.

A Cooper. popular voice on our radios and then went on to produce radio all overYYoorkshire.

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Image often champions promising local

Festival has been a summer highlight since it began in 2010.

Southside

Southside launched in March 2003 and has been a household name

surroundings areas since.

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Fashion, Health & Beauty

ALL WHITE

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under the

Embrace the temperature by experimenting wit materials. From airy linen to textured crochet and de

White linen

This Summer, pick up some cute linen pieces to add to your wardrobe. White linen is the perfect choice for the warm , of weather fffering both comfort and elegance, with a variety of styles to choose from. Linen tops pair beautifully with jeans or denim shorts, while linen trousers look so nice with a simple ribbed tank top or t-shirt. Or embrace the

p look from head to toe with a full linen to a beautiful, airy linen dress that will season long.

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th a variety of d ffferent fabrics and if elicate knit pieces, exploring d ffferent

touch, with silver jewellery, sunglasses and perhaps a little clutch bag or some sandals to provide a look that is comfortable, timeless and practical for thesummermonths

the summer months.

Summer Knits

Just because the warmer weather has arrived, does not mean you have to ditch the crochet and knitted pieces. In fact, lightweight knits and crochet designs are proving more popular than ever this summer, proving they’re not just for the cooler months.

Open-weave crochet patterns and lightweightknittedfabricsoffffer lightweight knitted fabrics of breathability while still adding texture

Whether layered over swimwear on holiday or styled for everyday wear, these pieces create the perfect balance between comfort and style. Intricate stitching, fun patterns and a variety of colours, crochet and knit detailing adds a handcrafted and personal feel to the garments. Accessories are also getting

Jigs line stitc sa en ch

arc Cain tted vest the crochet treatment, with crochet tote bags, hair accessories and bucket hats, these textured additions can instantly with difffferent textures and materials throughout your wardrobe can add a

T Teed Baker woven silk sleeve cardigan in w

blend short white, £56 function.

Wanderlu Stories pearl pendant and c 2-line neckla gold, £39

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Sezane white crochet and

Reiss white cotton- blend open knit shorts in cream, £58

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helping you discover the fabrics that suit you best. It is all about exploring your style and not being afraid to try and pick up new pieces.

Beachwhwweear

Beachwear: the coastal essentials for enjoying the sun in style. Whether it’s a day trip or a holiday abroad, the key is throughout the summer. This is where light and airy cover ups, oversized silhouettes and chic sunglasses come in, effffortlessly combining fashion and

Natural textu remain at the he dressing, provid compromising o layers, soft silho staples ensure y everything from evening drinks essential for the Bucket hats, sun

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Join Elvie the Duck THIS SUMMER

For free family fun at Lakeside Village.

amilies are invited to enjoy a summer of free activities at Lakeside Village as the centre gets ready to host a series of interactive activities, trails and creative workshops – focussed around a brand-new summer character, Elvie the duck!

Running daily across the summer, Elvie’s Farm Family Fun will transform the shopping outlet into a lively, familyfriendly destination, with a mix of interactive experiences, special events and seasonal highlights to keep visitors entertained throughout the school holidays. Designed with families in mind, the programme offers something for all ages, giving visitors the chance to combine

activities taking place across the centre, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore, play and spend time together, creating memorable experiences throughout the summer break.

At the heart of the programme is Elvie’s Farm Family Fun Zone, open daily until 31 August, where younger visitors can enjoy themed play areas, games and creative activities. Families can also take on Elvie’s Farm Trail, encouraging exploration across the centre, and enjoy a round of Elvie’s Crazy Golf, also available daily throughout the summer.

Park Farm, Lakeside Village will also host a series of special farm-themed events, bringing even more opportunities for families to get involved and enjoy hands-on experiences. Across the summer, visitors can look forward to a wide range of one-off events and returning favourites, including:

• Artisan & Craft Fayre – Saturday 4 July, 1 August and 5 September

• Yorkshire’s Strongest Man and Woman – Saturday 11 July

• Elvie’s Petting Zoo – Saturday 25 and

Sunday 26 July, and Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August

• Elvie’s Fun Day with Sammy the Broncho Sheep – Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August

• Elvie’s Farm Creative Workshop –Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August

A special highlight this summer is the 250th St Leger Anniversary Maze, running from Monday 10 August to Sunday 23 August, offering an engaging activity for families and racing enthusiasts alike.

The centre will also be celebrating a major milestone with Lakeside Village’s 30th birthday party on Saturday 15 August, featuring live music, face painting, a birthday gold rush and a special meet and greet with Shaun the Sheep.

Abby Chandler, deputy centre manager at Lakeside Village said: “It’s our 30th anniversary this summer so we’re excited to pull out all the stops having Elvie with

us and offering a programme packed with

visitors are joining us for a full day out or stopping by while they shop, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“The St Leger Maze and our summer party are real highlights but we also have our popular Artisan & Craft Fayre once again and we are thrilled to welcome back event for the third year running. Visitors can expect to see a variety of dramatic challenges throughout the day, including lifting, carrying and endurance-based tests, as competitors battle it out in front of a live audience.

“It’s a rare opportunity to see strength sport up close, as well as being able to meet athletes, take photos and be part of the atmosphere. This really is a summer for all the family here at Lakeside Village!”

For more information, visit: www.lakeside-village.co.uk

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la microbrume de rose exceptional revitalising mist £240

The lightweight mist fuses seamlessly with the skin, for an immediate sensation of comfort and freshness.

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Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask is a silky leave-on mask powered by Caviar Premier to help support skin’s overnight recovery. It provides both replenishment and visible smoothness.

Beauty micro serum levres tendre £54

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Hand and Body Cream £87

A lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturiser that leaves the skin hydrated, refreshed and delicately perfumed with notes of Campagne. Enriched with softening ingredients and a blend of plant-origin oils, it delivers an instantly smooth, satin-

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Start a different CONVERSATION

When life, stress or persistent pain begin to shrink your world, it’s time to think differently. By Gerry Andrews.

or many people, chronic pain and stress becomes a second job. Appointments. Exercises. Scans. Treatments. New pillows. New supplements. New theories.

Yet despite all their efforts, the stress and pain remains.

Over the years, I’ve worked with people experiencing chronic back pain, neck pain, persistent sports injuries and a host of other long-term conditions. What I’ve noticed is that many arrive feeling exhausted - not just by the pain itself, but by the endless search for a solution.

But what if the answer isn’t always where we’ve been taught to look?

More Than a Physical Problem

Modern pain science has transformed our understanding of chronic pain.

While pain can begin with an injury, it doesn’t always continue because of ongoing damage. Increasingly, researchers recognise that stress and how we express our emotional responses to what goes on around us play a central role in how pain - and many other chronic conditions - is created, experienced and maintained by the brain and nervous system. The body feels what the mind has thought!

Listening to the Whole Person

My own work combines hands-on bodywork with Body-Mind Coaching. Rather than focusing solely on muscles, joints or symptoms, we explore the wider picture.

A Different Kind of Healing – the Value of Negative Thinking and the Power of H.O.P.E

One client came to see me after years of persistent and intense pelvic pain which he put down to lifting something at work. He had seen several specialists and tried numerous therapies, but nothing was changing. His pain was still ever-present and as bad as ever.

As we worked together, two things happened.

First, he recognised how his pain was

“There are maps through your bones and skin, to the way you’ve felt and the way you’ve been.”

connected with his unprocessed feelings about losing his mum in very traumatic circumstances and how he had not been able to cry about it. His lightbulb moment happened when he had to take a friend to

up of symptoms. Because of the work we had done he was looking for any physical causes, but there were none.

His subconscious mind was using pain as a message to attend to his unresolved feelings about the traumatic death of his mum in hospital. This was the ‘value of negative thinking’ at work!

Second, we started to shift the focus

safety and belief in his body. One of the most damaging messages people with chronic pain receive is that they are broken and there is no cure, no hope. Instead, we

So, we talked about the simple things he enjoyed doing that made him feel happy - in his case swimming and playing the guitar. And importantly, we also worked on the body using massage and other bodywork,

– Christopher Poindexter

to connect with those areas in his body that were tense and painful, so that his nervous system settled and he could start to literally feel what ‘ease’ can feel like.

intense and are less frequent. Movement is becoming easier, the nervous system is settling and life is becoming larger than the pain.

If you’ve been living with persistent pain, stress-related symptoms or a chronic condition and feel you’ve tried everything else, perhaps the next step is not to search

Perhaps it is time to start a different conversation.

Gerry Andrews is a Body-Mind Coach and Holistic Massage Therapist based in Guiseley, working with people experiencing chronic pain, stress, anxiety and life transitions through a combination of bodywork, coaching and nervous-systeminformed approaches.

To learn more or arrange a free initial conversation, visit gerryandrews.co.uk or massagetherapyleeds.com or you can phone on 07794 366227.

FOOD&DRINK

SOFT SCOOP

Are you a cone or a cup kind of person? And do you like simple vanilla or something more extravagant? Taking inspiration from our American cousins, National Ice Cream Day takes place on Sunday 19 July, the perfect time to indulge (and cool off).

ITALIAN ELEGANCE & VIBRANT SEASONAL FLAVOURS

The summer San Carlo seasonal menu captures the vibrant spirit of the Amalfi coast with fresh vegetables, delicate seafood & bright notes of lemon, bringing light, sun-drenched Italian flavours to every plate.

Feeling FESTIVE?

You winter planning can start now... and there’s no better place to prepare than at Zara’s, Tickhill, writes Richard Abbey.

You don’t expect to be talking about Christmas in the middle of summer but – I’m sure it gets earlier every year – it did crop up in conversation with Faruk Miah, owner of Zara’s in Tickhill, on a recent visit.

The popular restaurant, which celebrated its 25th anniversary two years ago, has just launched its Christmas Day menu and has already started taking bookings. A visit to your favourite Indian restaurant has become an increasingly popular way to celebrate the festive season and Zara’s are looking to build on previous years, which have all been extremely busy.

The restaurant will be opening from 1-6pm on 25 December, offering two sittings with a set menu to include poppadoms and pickle tray, any starter and main from the menu, any naan and

menu is priced at £55 per person and a £20 deposit is required to secure your table. Drinks are not included.

I’d imagine Christmas, like any occasion at Zara’s, is a welcoming affair. Indeed, we’d not visited for a couple of years buy recognised many of the staff who in turn remembered us by name. It has a real family feel and is perhaps why their customers – 80 per cent of which are regulars – return time and time and again.

And the food is very, very good.

There’s been little tweaks to the menu over the years, including a recent introduction of ‘desi-style’ dishes, which showcase more ‘home-style’ cooking. Zara’s has retained the same chef for over 25 years and, after visiting several times over the years, you really notice the

All talk of Christmas out of the way, we took our seats in an already busy restaurant and ordered drinks – draught Cobra beer (£5.90) and a Coke (£3.50) –before looking over the menu, which runs from starters, tandoori and biryani dishes to chef’s specialities, old favourites and recommended dishes.

No sooner had our drinks arrived than an appetiser of poppadoms (99p each) and a pickle tray (£3.50) joined them, which always make a great start to the evening. The onion chutney, mango chutney, chunky lime pickle, and riata were further bolstered by the addition of a bowl of chilli sauce, which manager, Abdul, assured us was made to a jealously guarded secret recipe.

We decided to share starters, combining both meat and vegetarian options. A classic mixed kebab (£6.30) – always a favourite – consisted of chicken tikka, onion bhaji and sheekh kebab (and salad)

textures. Paneer tikka (£10.99) was subtly skewer with onions and tomatoes which Abdul’s chilli sauce worked really well with the cheese in particular.

For main courses we were both drawn to the ‘Zara’s recommends’ section, opting for a Handi Desi (£13.99) and King Prawn Tandoori Plaza (£16.99).

The former was a warming dish of chicken and minced lamb cooked with tomatoes, pepper and onions and was

without it being overbearing. The grandsounding second dish paired tandoori king prawns with a rich sauce made with the shatkora fruit, a tangy aromatic from Bangladesh. The subtle hints of sweetness made for a tasty curry that was mopped up enthusiastically with the accompanying paratha (£4.50) bread. We also shared a very portion of saag aloo (£4.30).

Bringing our children along has become par for the course when visiting Zara’s – they’re huge fans – and whilst they enjoyed sharing our starters with us, they stuck to an old favourite for their main course. They ate every bit of their chicken korma (£11.99), which they complemented with pilau rice (£4.20) and cheese nan bread (£4.50).

Once the plates had been cleared away we declined the offer of dessert – we’d

I don’t think I’ll ever be swayed from the traditional turkey and trimmings at Christmas but if I did, and a curry was on anywhere better.

Zara’s

1 Sunderland Street, Tickhill, DN11 9PT

Tel: 01302 744122

Email: food@zarasrestaurant.co.uk www.zarasrestaurant.co.uk

Yorkshire VINTAGE

British wine is on the increase thanks to burgeoning vineyards such as Loversall, which is located just off the M18. Richard Abbey spoke to owners Matt and Steph

t may have a bigger reputation for ale-making but did you know that Yorkshire has a strong history of winemaking, dating back to Roman and medieval times? It’s a practice – now driven by warmer climates and improved grape varieties – that continues today and the county, including in Loversall near Doncaster.

This small, historic conservation village and civil parish is situated near the M18 and A1(M) motorway junction and is now home to Loversall Vineyard, which is owned and run by the Lee family.

The vineyard forms part of a former farm estate, which is also home to a wedding venue (Unique Occasions), party venue, café and two holiday cottages.

Husband and wife, Matt and Steph, had inherited the family small holding, which was home to 1,000 pigs, but as a former engineer and rally driver respectively, weren’t all that taken with the lifestyle.

And so, 12 years ago, they converted a barn into a rustic wedding venue, called Unique Occasions, and haven’t looked back. Although the pigs had to go.

The barn has since been extended thanks to the addition of a marquee, then came the ‘party barn’, which was given a Mamma Mia theme for daughter Annabel’s 21st birthday and has proved popular ever since.

During lockdown, Annabel opened a café at the bottom of the estate and close to a lake which was a huge hit with walkers and cyclists and remains so. It sells everything from coffee and cake to breakfasts, bagels and burgers and is fully licensed too.

The decision to create the vineyard came

diversify the farm’s offering but secondly as a way to link up the different areas of the estate. And it so happened that the terrain was perfect.

“It’s all about the soil,” Matt explained because it’s got the right soil texture, it’s got a limestone base, sandy loam, which is

Below the vineyard is a small lake and Matt even built a canal to link the vineyard to the party barn, with visitors being able to enjoy a small boat trip as part of their tour.

“All that water improves the temperatures because it rolls up the slope,” added Matt. “The motorway also moves the air, which helps with the frosts.”

Matt and Steph did plenty of research before planting their 3,500 vines, visiting other vineyards as well as wine shows where they found the community really helpful. They settled on a cool-climate Solaris grape, which is a sauvignon blanc

but has German rootstock which is hardy for disease. It’s a popular choice for northern vineyards along with Bacchus and Pinot Noir Précoce and often produces crisp whites and high-quality sparkling wines.

harvest last autumn and have sent their grapes away to Halfpenny Green near Bridgnorth, a company who have been producing wine for 40 years. They are aiming to produce two white varieties – a still and a sparkling – as well as a rose.

Once the vines has started to mature, tours were introduced and have proven to be really popular, although this will be the

run with their own wine.

“We were doing tours last year but didn’t even have any wine,” laughed Steph. “So we went to Dunesforde near York who use the same variety of grape. This year will be really exciting.”

The afternoon tours run most weekends, from May to September, and last for three and a half hours. Guests start in the wine bar on the farm with a talk on the history of wine making in England before being transported to the vineyard and a bespoke tractor/trailer driven by the couple’s son, Jack. After some wine tasting and charcuteries boards in the ‘Y Nut’, the party then jumps on a boat for a cruise along

barn for more drinks and nibbles.

Wine tours 2026:

4, 11, 18 & 25 July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 August 12 & 26 September

Further dates are still to be arranged.

“Someone gave us that boat, it was a proper yacht, twin keel, four berth cruiser,” recalled Matt. “It makes it an experience. It’s not just wine tasting it’s the whole adventure around the farm.”

This year’s crop of wine will be used for the wine tours, will be made available to wedding parties using the barn and will be on sale in Annabel’s café.

This outdoors lifestyle has been quite the change of paces for the couple, particulary for Steph who spent many years racing cars alongside her sister, Rachael.

“My dad wanted boys but ended up with two girls,” recalled Steph. “We had motorbikes and cars from an early age; my mum and dad both raced, that’s how we got into it.

“I drove and Rachael was co-driver, we were known as the Simmonite Sisters. We ended up being British Champion and French Champion, were on Top Gear and were factory drivers for Ford.”

Alongside her racing Steph got a degree

in hospitality management at university, which has proven quite useful now she’s largely running a wedding venue as well as helping out with the vineyard, party venue and café.

Matt was an agricultural engineer for 30 years but also built off-road racing cars in his spare time, which is where he met Steph. His claim to fame to making wheels for the Land Rovers in the James Bond Spectre

around the farm but Matt – and Jack –are already contemplating extending the vineyard to include some red wine grapes, possibly pinot noir. There’s also an idea to introduce some camping to complement the on-site accommodation but that’s still very much in the idea phase. There’s also the small matter of building a bond to store the wine – work on that is currently underway.

“I don’t like sitting around, there’s always something to do!” laughed Matt.

With Annabel running the café self-

plan is for them to have a more hands-on role with everything allowing Matt and Steph to take a small step back.

But maybe a step back with a glass of their wine.

Alfresco Season is Back

Head to the south-facing terrace and outdoor kitchen at Clocktower Terrace

Think wood-fired pizzas, snacks, salads and sharing boards

Plus the All Day Dining menu at Clocktower Brasserie offers a range of classic brasserie dishes

The perfect spot for a get together with friends, a special occasion or a business lunch

Find out more

ruddingpark.co.uk

Carvery: Wed - Sat 12– 2pm & 5.30pm– 8pm Sun All Day 12noon– 7.30pm

Alfresco season has ARRIVED

It’s time to Spritz up your Summer, Rudding Park is calling.

Rudding Park in Harrogate has built an enviable reputation as a hotel, spa and golf resort throughout Yorkshire and beyond over the years. There is no doubt it’s become the ‘go-to’ when looking for memorable experiences; whether that means an overnight escape, dinner reservation or spa experience to a golf day or spectacular party at Rudding House to celebrate a milestone.

You think it can’t get any better, but it hard to beat their southfacing terrace at Clocktower. The gardens serve as a natural backdrop to the shade canopies,

tables and low-level seating on the raised terrace whilst the Sail Terrace also offers shade and additional space for dining overlooking the gardens.

It really is one of the best kept secrets in Harrogate. Last year’s outdoor kitchen and alfresco menu proved such a hit, we breathed a sigh of relief

pizzas are back for 2026! Spoilt

for choice, you can also select from the All Day Dining menu with table sharers and popular favourites including Caesar salad, Cacio e Pepe, Whitby Fish and Chips and the ‘Big Mack’ Burger.

To enhance the guest experience, a series of outdoor events will see Clocktower Terrace become the place to be this summer; including ‘Spritz and Pizza O’Clock’ available Monday to Friday 5-7pm, where you can relax with

margherita or pepperoni pizza for £25 per

person. Looking for chilled vibes? Check out the Terrace DJ nights on select dates. And the best bit? We love an outdoor screening, so we’ll be securing our spot on the lawn to catch all the action from the FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon, The Open and the Commonwealth Games.

when a series of classics will be screened each evening, perfect for summer nightsthink Grease and Mamma Mia to Top Gun: Maverick, The Devil Wears Prada and many more. Screenings are complimentary with deckchairs available on a

So that’s summer sorted, but we can also share, something ‘Yorkshire’ is taking shape at Rudding Park, due to open

Yorkshire and a new experience for everyone, keep an eye on their socials and website as they reveal more.

In the meantime, ‘Spritz and Pizza O’Clock’ anyone?

Visit Rudding Park, Harrogate, ruddingpark.co.uk

A force forGOOD

Experience top class rugby and raise money for a great cause in Doncaster this summer.

This month, Castle Park Stadium in Doncaster – home to the Doncaster Knights – will be hosting an exciting day of top-level rugby as part of the Military vs Cancer Armed Forces Day.

rugby talent from across the UK Armed Forces and the north of England, the event, which takes place on Saturday 4 July, promises three high-quality matches showcasing elite skill, physicality and the unique camaraderie of military sport.

an Armed Forces Day rugby event in Doncaster,” said Graeme McCabe, events manager for Military vs Cancer. “We chose to bring the event here because the city has a fantastic connection with the Armed Forces community, and as a Doncaster-

based charity – recognised as Charity of the Awards – it feels the right place to host it.”

kicking off at 12pm, which will be England Counties U20s vs UK Armed Forces (UKAF) U23s. Match two kicks off at 2.15pm and will see the NE Women taken match starts at 4.30pm, with the NE Men facing the UKAF Men.

registered charity in May 2022, however, the journey began much earlier in 2018, when it started as a grassroots fundraising initiative.

“The origins are both deeply personal and community-driven,” said CEO David Bathgate. “As CEO, I have personally lost eight members of my family to cancer, with six of those losses occurring within just two years. This gave me a very real understanding of the devastating impact cancer has on families.

“The true catalyst, however, came when we supported a fellow soldier who was diagnosed with cancer. We organised a fundraising ball in Wigan to support him, and it was at that event that we collectively realised we could, and should, do more. That moment led to the decision to establish Military vs Cancer as a dedicated charity to support members of the Armed Forces community affected by cancer.”

Military vs Cancer has a simple approach: to tailor support to the individual needs of each family. The charity works closely with families to understand what will make the biggest difference during their cancer journey and aims to be a “one-stop shop” for the Armed Forces community, providing both practical and emotional support. This can include

and covering travel and accommodation costs for treatment to respite breaks and time away as well as memory-making experiences. The charity can also signpost specialist services and additional support networks if required.

“Ultimately, our goal is to remove stress and give families the space to focus on what matters most,” added David.

Fundraising by Military vs Cancer is largely event-driven and relies on the generosity of supporters through organised events and community fundraising. As well as the Armed Forces Day rugby event in Doncaster there will a Summer Ball in Lincoln on 17 July and a Military Heroes Golf Event at Celtic Manor on 5 August. Others will be raising money through Great North Run participation.

“Tickets are still available for all events,” explained David. “In addition, we are incredibly grateful for the individuals, groups, and organisations who organise their own events and challenges to raise funds and awareness for us.”

Asked about future plans for the charity, David said: “Our ambition is clear, to become the leading support service for the Armed Forces community affected by cancer. We want to build Military vs Cancer into a fully recognised one-stop support hub, delivering a level of care and service

“We chose to bring the event here because the city has a fantastic connection with the Armed Forces community, and as a Doncaster-based charity – recognised as Charity of the Year at last year’s Armed Forces Covenant Awards – it feels the right place to host it.”

people we support.

“Everything we do is driven by a simple principle: to provide support that genuinely

If you want to show your support, and see some top-class rugby, a visit to Castle Park Stadium on 4 July is a great place to start.

For ticket information, visit www.militaryvscancer.com

Grand

Time rarely stands still in business and this has certainly been the

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Unlike online kitchen retailers, they

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