Breath of Fresh Air

A brand new series begins tonight on Calendar news in which Jon Mitchell joins writer Mark Reid. Together they go on some of the region's best walks. Not only can you see the film, but we're offering Mark's walk description and a map to download from the site.

A must for walkers.

Spiders in Scarborough

Andrew Davies, a Scarborough lover writes..
i really enjoy the scarborough webcam it cheers me up when we aren't in scarborough we can look at it and look forward to going again the only problem is i think that it needs a clean !!!! ive seen two spiders and some seagull poo !!! Thanks Andrew.

Don't forget you can write to us at yorkshire@itvlocal.com or leave comments about your favourite Yorkshire places here on our blog

St George and the dragon

Every kid in the country knows this particular saint I expect, mostly because the story invloves a pointy weapon, a fire breathing monster and lots of drama. Dan Brown has made a short film about the celebrations at the rugby club and cricket fields, Scatcherd Lane in Morely. And don't forget to upload your videos of the celebrations to ITV Local's Your News



Looking ahead to this weekend, Scarborough bosts one of the biggest celebrations in the county with the Redcoat soldiers and musicians with military drill, rifle firing and a pageant in his honour. More information here

Rail travel experiences

These pictures were taken in Leeds station this week; it was a fairly quiet day on this particular morning. Commuters will be aware of the large numbers of people pushing through the barriers in the rush hour and the sometimes lengthy process of checking tickets.

As a regular rail traveller it seems to me that there are huge inconsistencies in the way ticket validating is handled across the country. The biggest improvements, in my view, came in London when Oyster Cards were introduced on the underground. Effortlessly, commuters were able to pass through barriers and pre-pay for journeys. The pay as you go aspect of Oyster Cards and the automated way in which the charging is handled across peak and non-peak periods is excellent. Not only do Oyster Cards lead to easy and convenient travel, but are fair on charging.

In my local train station I often see people trying to work out whether or not it’s worth buying a travel card – miss a few journeys and the benefits drain away.

I think we need to get much more sophisticated in the way we handle the payment aspects of rail travel. Think, for example, of the confusing range of options for intercity travel. It's entirely possible to find yourself on the wrong train and forking out maby an extra £90.
(Mark Waddington, ITV Local Yorkshire Channel Manager)

Do you think rail travel can be improved? How? Use the comments tab on this posting.

Also see the ITV Local Yorkshire Travel Channel

Cattle Call - a mischievous musical

The Phoenix Dance Theatre at the West Yorkshire Playhouse last weekend.

Cattle Call, a collaboration between choreographer Javier De Frutos and composer Richard Thomas – also the writer and composer of Jerry Springer, the Opera. Described as an explosive theatrical event, Natasha Wenham went to see this mischievous musical.


Not knowing what to expect from the performance overall and speaking for myself I felt the opening scenes sparked a sense of confusion amongst the audience. A combination of loud opera style singing and active dancers swept the stage floor with each dancer chanting numbers. My first instincts were that It was unusual, musical, energetic and vibrant. At one point in the performance I thought ‘this is complete madness’ so much is going on and I couldn't keep my eyes off the show. I instantly fell in love with the cast members as they gave an excellent performance, there seem to be a strong sense of direction and choreography; not one move looked to be out of position. It was also nice to see such a broad mixture of cultural diversity amongst the cast members who all looked as though they had a good connection between one and other during the their performances. What I liked in particular was the fact that one of the main characters who was more dominantly lead ironically happened to be the most petite and smallest of the cast.

Throughout the play I found it comical, humorous and full of witty innuendos in the music lyrics which had me at the edge of my seat at most times amused. There were also occasions where I wanted to get up out of my seat and join in the dance as I really enjoyed the music. The simple use of setting with most of the performance taking place in the same space, with occasional use of bars to simulate been locked away highlighted how well structured and organised the performance actually was.

My interpretation of the play had me comparing the fact that the play seemed to based on the idea of the gruelling process of auditions, in a sense it was almost like a theatrical version of ‘Fame’ maybe even like an’ X factor’. But I couldn't help comparing the auditions process to a real Cattle Call, where you see a herd of Cattle all confined to a small space waiting for there turn to be chosen to be slaughtered. My comparison arose as I watched the talented dancers perform their crazy (as I’d put it) dance moves emphasizing their flexibility and stamina. Also the fact that they were all wearing a numbered sign just waiting for their number to be called.

Sadly the run at the WY Playhouse was only short, but I'm sure it will be back somewhere in the region before long. If you enjoy a good musical performance with much of the emphasis on dance, and not to forget the comedy, ‘Cattle Call’ is definitely a must see.

Joseph Salmon Trust

Of course the loss of a child of any age is a terrible tragedy for a parent. The Salmon family lost their son Joseph in 2005 and have now set up the Joseph Salmon Trust. The organisation aims to offer financial help to bereaved parents. Joseph's father Neil talks about the work of the trust on ITV Local Yorkshire.

Ferret Bowling

This appauling activity has been happening in Halifax. Having spend the day trying to think of ways we can encourage interest and respect for wildlife, this is very disturbing.

For the Calendar News report on this go to ITV Local Yorkshire

And please let us know what you think by using the comments facility on this posting.

Care for wildlife?

Steve Meays, Wildlife Wealth Project Officer for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust being interviewed for ITV Local Yorkshire.

We met Steve at the Kirkstall Road wildlife reserve between the river and the railway line. An unlikely spot for nature, we thought, but Steve explained that this was a major route for migrating animals offering them a "motorway" from Leeds up into the Dales.

The film opens with Steve picking up litter from one of the footpaths. I couldn't help thinking how disrespectful many people have become of our natural environment when we noticed rubbish that had been left. There are no roadsweepers here.

Do you think we care enough for our natural spaces particularly in urban areas?

The feature about Kirkstall will be shown next week on ITV Local

Hell, Hull and Halifax

Here at ITV Local Yorkshire we have been getting ready for the Hull Film Festival, Glimmer, which kicks off next week. We like Hull, of course we do, but there are those who would give the dear place a bad press. Scoundrels.

Channel Four aught to be ashamed of publishing its “poll” last year, goodness knows who they asked. It placed Hull as the second worst place to live in the country. Here’s a piece I nicked from the Location, Location, Location website

Kingston upon Hull (or should it be Hell?) sits in isolation on the north east coast of England. It’s nabbed the number two spot thanks to some terrible crime stats, and who’s to stop them? Last year, Hull’s boys in blue were named as the joint worst performing force in the UK.

But give a dog a bad name and it’s difficult to shake off. Hundreds of years ago thieves were singing, “From hell, Hull and Halifax may the good Lord deliver us” (Thieves Litany). This was because the poor blighters were apt to be hung on the gibbet if they got caught in either of these towns. Other places were presumably more lenient. Horribly, Yorkshire then must have been the Texas of the UK.

So the questions of the day are two fold.

1. Should Hull reinstall a working gibbet to deal with its hooligans?
2. What do you say in defence of Hull?

Use the comments facility on this blog

Whilst you’re mulling this over have a look at our dedicated coverage of Glimmer which will do much to redeem the true character of Hull.

(Mark Waddington, Channel Manager, ITV Local Yorkshire)

Shayne's a green tea man

Big excitement at the ITVL Yorks' HQ today as Shane Ward popped in to talk us.

A note went round that Shayne was insisting on green tea before the interview. One of the Calendar producers said, "bloody green tea! Isn't the brown stuff good enough?"

Then we Googled an article from the Sun which claimed that he is obsessed by sex (aren't we all?). So, a randy green tea drinking prima donna from the wrong side of the Pennines, we thought.

The real Shayne Ward turned out to be a really nice chap. When we presented him with one of our manly ITV Local beer glasses he indicated that he would be putting it to good use. Cheers, we say. (Mark Waddington, Channel Manager ITV Local Yorkshire)

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Leave a comment and tell us what you really think of Shayne.

You can see the interview on ITV Local Yorkshire here.

Springtime and snow!

While it wasn't as spectacular as the snow on Easter weekend, this latest flurry looked very pretty. In fact it looks like there's been more sbow in the south! The weather has been amazing - only a few days ago we were at Roundhay Park in Leeds where the sun was shining and shirt sleeves were required. Here's a Spring picture from Scribblernick.

Today, the icy weather was back.

Many thanks to everyone who has been submitting photos one way or another. The images have been impressive. Live cameras, ITV Local weather