Happy New Year

Photo courtesy Photos8.com


I can hear fireworks outside so as 2010 winds down I will end this year by Wishing all my readers a Very Happy New Year!

Steve The Butcher

Whilst walking around Headingley yesterday I called in to a greengrocers to get a few photographs and to find out more about them. More about the greengrocer tomorrow, but whilst I was in there talking to the owner he said I should go next door to the butcher.... A new business opening up as a butcher was pretty rare these days, so I did.

I was interested in the butchers and indeed the family run greengrocers, for many reasons. It is not so very long ago that every town had several shops of both greengrocers and also butchers. Today with advent of the supermarket that has all changed, what we eat has become big business and where it comes from or how it is grown or in the case of animals reared is of very little interest to these large concerns.

The man in the above photo is Steve and he recently opened a butchers shop in North Lane, Headingley. I nearly went to the 2010 Great Yorkshire Pork Pie, Sausage & Products Competition back in October, because I am a fan of proper sausages. Because I could not make it, I did not meet Steve there, he came second with his beef burgers. I asked Steve to pose for me with his burgers and the trophy they gave him.

I spoke with Steve for some time and it is plain that he is passionate about both his meat and where it comes from. All of his meat comes from local farms.

Steve is at
Headingley Farm Butchers
50 North Lane
Headingley, Leeds LS6 3HU
Telephone 0113 274 0811

This being next to the greengrocers and just along from Cafe Lento on North Lane in Headingley.

Headingley - Home of Yorkshire Cricket

Picture of cricket weather vane at Headingley, Leeds.

It was not always so but today Headingley is the home of Yorkshire cricket, so much so that if you put Headingley into Google the first result is.. YCCC Yorkshire County Cricket Club!

Late this afternoon I was in Headingley and on walking back to my car I noticed the above cricket weather vane above a roof on Cottage Road. Cottage Road is best known in Leeds for the cinema of the same name.

I would have photographed this weather vane anyway, but especially now with the result from the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Here in Yorkshire, like Melbourne we take our cricket seriously.

Frozen River Aire

Picture of frozen river Aire.

On my Boxing day walk, I followed the river Aire along the riverbank as close as I could get from Saltaire to Bingley and then walked back along the canal via a detour at Hirst Wood.

I was surprised to discover that the river Aire was frozen over from the other side of the weir. I have never seen this river frozen over before, the Leeds - Liverpool canal yes but never the river.

The above photo shows a place on the river Aire where a small stream flowing into the river has kept this little bit free of ice.

Christmas Robin

Picture of a robin perched in a tree.

Whilst out yesterday on the the traditional Boxing Day walk, walking off my Christmas dinner I came across this little robin sat in a tree. Ideally I would been a little closer but there was a very steep drop of perhaps 18 feet ending in the partly frozen over river Aire between the robin and me.

The day was very cold so I am not surprised his feathers were fluffed up.

Boxing Day Walk

Picture of couple standing on frozen Leeds - Liverpool canal.

One of the traditions here in the UK is that people get out and walk in the countryside on Boxing Day.

I followed this tradition and walked across the snow covered countryside not far from where I live. As standard I took my camera, not knowing if I would see something worth recording.

The above photo is something I never thought I would see. Whilst walking back along the Leeds - Liverpool canal towpath, I noticed that the canal seemed pretty frozen over. At the end of the afternoon I saw this couple stood on the ice about midway across the canal. They swapped places and photographed each other, then the woman said to the man that if he walked along the canal till the next bridge she would buy tea. I said if he did not make it I would get picture in the national press. I think they thought I was joking, I was not. OK the canal is not deep but the shock of going through the ice would mean you would not be thinking straight. At the temperature this afternoon, after a very short time the mind would be numb and that would be it....

Merry Christmas

Picture of City Square in Leeds at night with Christmas tree.

Happy Christmas and wishing you All the Best for the coming year.

I passed through City Square a few nights back having been to the Leeds National Short Story event and could not resist a few hand held shots of this years Christmas Tree. Oddly of all the times I have taken photos whist standing in City Sq I have never before I think included the Queens Hotel in one post here.

The white building in the background is the Portland stone faced Queens Hotel, behind which is the Leeds train station. Also in the photo on the left is the statue of the Black Prince.

Leeds Daily Photo is 2

Picture of a magpie in the Spring.

Today the Leeds Daily Photo is two years old! When I started this daily photo blog I was neither a blogger nor a photographer. I started it because I could and had always been a little interested in photography.

I have used this photo of a magpie, with a cowslip growing wild taken in the spring of last year because my very first post back in December 2008 was of a magpie. The above photo was taken at the Bramham Park estate not far from the city of Leeds. The Bramham Park estate is well known for the annual Bramham International Horse Trials and more recently for the Leeds Festival, which is a whole different kind of three day event.

Magpies are still as elusive to photograph with a relatively small lens. Since this was taken I now have a Canon 5D and Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens but I have never been near enough to get another shot. I have tried a few times but they always fly off before I get close enough.

Many thanks to the City Daily Photo community in general and more especially to those members who have helped me along the way with either technical help with blogging or suggestions. Also thanks to the many regular and occasional visitors who drop by and leave or perhaps comment on a post I have done.

This last year for the Leeds Daily Photo has been great, although it does seem to have grown a life of its own. When I started this blog I never thought I would be invited to events by the BBC or for that matter Welcome to Yorkshire or that someone in the USA would buy one of my pictures. As for the future, to quote Buzz Lightyear... To infinity, and beyond!

National Short Story Day - Leeds

Picture of Tom Palmer reading from from his work at Leeds central library on National Short Story Day.

Yesterday here in the UK it was National Short Story Day and on the shortest day of the year in the Leeds central library there was an event with readings of short stories by the authors.

The line up of authors was novelist and short story writer M. Y. Alam, Leeds based writer and editor Tom Palmer and American young writer Alex Kris reading from their work.

In the above photo is writer Tom Palmer, Tom was born in Gledhow, Leeds and writes books for children.

With the recent snow and difficulties with travel, it was great that these 3 writers could make it and afterwards there was a discussion about their work and influences.

M Y Alam is published by Route Publishing based here in Yorkshire.

Tom Palmer is a children's fiction writer. He is the author of two series: Foul Play and Football Academy, both published by Puffin UK.

This event was hosted by Leeds Libraries, Cadaverine Magazine and Route Publications.

Tufted Ducks - Leeds City Centre

Picture of Tufted Ducks in Leeds city centre.

I had called in to La Bottega Milanese for a cup of coffee this afternoon because my fingers were so cold they were beginning to hurt. Whilst in this small cafe bar I took some photos for use on this blog and talked about developments on Dock Street. More on La Bottega Milanese later.

I then walked down over Leeds Centenary footbridge over the river Aire and noticed some ducks nearby.

I have not seen any tufted ducks for quite some years and was very pleased to discover these visitors from Iceland or Scandinavia swimming around on the river Aire here in Leeds.

The tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) is a medium sized diving duck, smaller than a mallard duck. Theses tufted ducks are four males and one female.

The redness colour on the water is the reflection from old brickwork walls in the late afternoon sun along by calls landing.

Bumper to Bumper Parking

Sometimes I am lost for something to post, then it hits me..

Today there is the above photo taken by me a couple of months back. My Smart roadster is the car on the left, the Audi belongs to some strange person, strange to me and strange by way of car parking.

When I went to my car on this day at first I could not believe it, how could anyone park their car actually touching the car behind them? Luckily no one was parked behind me but they could have done so and I might well have been stuffed.

On a totally different note National Short Story Day in Leeds is marked tonight by an event at the Leeds Central Library 6-8pm Tues 21st Dec 2010.

Crow on Towpath Snow Leeds

Picture of crow on Towpath Snow Leeds.

Yesterday I walked a little along the Leeds - Liverpool canal towpath and spotted this crow adjacent to the waters edge. This was not far from Granary Wharf along the towpath from Leeds city centre.

I am no bird expert, so if this is a rook then apologies. Unless I hear them crow I am never really sure which of the two birds they may be.

Snow Returns To Leeds

Snow returned to most of Yorkshire last night and also much of the UK.

Walking along the Leeds - Liverpool canal today down past Granary wharf I spotted this plant with little balls of snow in it. It is I think the common hogweed a much smaller and less trouble than the giant hogweed of which there are some near the spot where I took this photo.

Primos Gourmet Hotdogs - Corn Exchange Leeds

Picture of one of Primos Gourmet Hotdogs at the Leeds Corn exchange.

A visit to the Leeds Corn Exchange building enables the visitor among other things to check out Primos Gourmet Hotdogs.

Primos is an American themed diner where you can either sit in the diner or sit just outside whilst being inside on the mezzanine under the corn exchange roof.

I first discovered Primos when I bought one of their artisan ice creams in the early summer, the strange sounding marmalade ice cream, it was I have to say one of the best tasting ices I have had in some time. I will go a long way for a decent ice cream, made by people who care about what it is they are doing.

If like me you like the idea of a hotdog, but would not buy one from most places that sell them, Primos is the place for you. Primos hotdogs are made in Scotland exclusively for them with a minimum of 86% meat content.

One of the things I really like about Primos is not the coffee which is excellent or the great tasting hotdogs, but that they sell Fentimans traditional soft drinks.

Gourmet Hot Dogs, Bespoke Coffee and Artisan Ice Cream are all things I like and Primos at the Leeds corn exchange do them all well.

Food reviews are not really what the Leeds Daily Photo is about but I do like to promote local non high street chain businesses here in Leeds.

Leeds Corn Exchange - War Memorial

Picture of Leeds Corn Exchange war memorial.

This war memorial is fixed to the wall on the interior of the Leeds corn exchange building. It appears to be constructed of mahogany with a bronze plaque with the names of fallen members of the corn exchange and also I guess men who worked in the building.

Under the words Leeds Corn Exchange War Memorial is a wreath surrounding the dates 1914 1918

Beneath on the bronze plaque is listed 21 names, followed underneath by the words: They Fought and Fell, That We May Live.

The vast majority of those named on this war memorial are officers and they range in age from 20 to 42 of those that I could discover more about them than just a name.

Unusually James Albert Raymond Thomson, Capt. (Acting Lieut-Colonel) Yorkshire Regt. was the CO of the 5th Bn Yorkshire Regiment. The 5th Bn Yorkshire Regiment was wiped out on the 27th May 1918, on that day they lost 25 officers and 638 other ranks. At 6am the last message was recieved at brigade HQ from Lt Col Thomson “HQ company fighting about the command post and appear to be surrounded”. I do not single him out because of his rank, I single Lt Col Thomson out because there was more info about him available.

There are several of these small war memorials around the city of Leeds dedicated to the men who once worked in a building, went of to the Great War and never came home to their family and friends.

Send free Leeds eCards courtesy of the Leeds Daily photo.

Leeds Corn Exchange - Interior 2

Picture of Leeds Corn Exchange Interior.

This is a photo of the Leeds Corn Exchange interior, but from the other end from the picture posted yesterday.

On the far left of the picture the baby buggy is outside the Mummy & Little Me shop.

Also in the photo towards the tree are some stalls because the day I visited the corn exchange there was an Art, Design and Neo Craft shopping fair on organised by Rebecca of Reetsweet.

The Leeds Corn Exchange has a couple of interesting clocks but I will post about those another day.

Leeds Corn Exchange - Interior

Picture of the Leeds Corn Exchange interior.

I took this photo of one half of the interior of the Leeds corn exchange a week ago, whilst standing on the first floor balcony.

In the picture can be seen Piazza by Anthony the food place that occupies the lower floor. Also in the picture at the far end placed between the two staircases to the first floor is the Christmas tree. On the ground floor mezzanine on the right is Primo’s – gourmet hot dogs.

Leeds Corn Exchange

Picture of Leeds Corn Exchange in summer time.

I had reason to visit the Corn Exchange in the heart of Leeds a week ago, I had not been there for some months.

I have lived and or worked in Leeds for more than 20 years now, long enough to remember the time when the corn exchange had a replica bi-plane of WW1 vintage high in the roof. Perhaps it is me but these last few years the corn exchange has not been what it once was. Until recently I always felt that this fine Victorian building was a mere shell and had lost its heart.

I took the above photo of the corn exchange towards the end of last summer. I think now on reflection since this last visit that maybe the Corn Exchange has turned a corner and can now be regarded as somewhere to visit in the city of Leeds.

Apart from Piazza by Anthony the food place that occupies the lower floor there are also several other I think interesting businesses in the corn exchange...

Primos - Gourmet Hotdogs
Mummy & Little Me - Maternity Wear, Baby Clothes, Maternity Bags
Russo Italia - Designers and retailers of beautifully handcrafted women's Italian shoes in leather.

Upstairs at the corn exchange there are several different businesses selling retro fashions and accessories..

of these the one that stands out for me is Nancy's Vintage Boutique.
Oh yes and the one who said no photos, so I said fine I would not mention them.

There will be more about the Leeds Corn Exchange tomorrow.

Robin in a Leeds Park

Picture of a robin in a Leeds park.

This is I think the only photo of a robin that I have. I have followed them along walls on country lanes, especially in the snow a few times this last year but I never get close enough for a nice photo.

I took the above photo in the spring of last year, I remember seeing movement under some bushes, where someone had thrown some bits of bread and there was a robin. I think this was in the little park behind the St Johns centre in Leeds city centre, the one with the church of Saint John the evangelist in it.

The photo I really want with a robin in it is one with snow in a holly tree with berries. Oh well, the snow is forecast to return so there is still a chance.

Gertrude Mayne War Widow

Picture of the CWGC headstone of Gertrude Mayne of Armley, Leeds.

I first came across Gertrude Mayne because her name is on the War Memorial in Gotts Park, Armley.

Gertrude Mayne who served in Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps the QMAAC. Gertrude Mayne died 9 April 1918 at the age of 29. Gertrude Mayne was the Daughter of John Thomas and Elizabeth Sadler, of 14, Strawberry Place, Armley in the city of Leeds.

What I did not realise till I read the inscription on the CWGC headstone, shown above, was that Gertrude was the widow of Cpl George William Mayne of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) who also died in WW1 on the 20 February 1917. George had I guess arrived in France with the rest of the Leeds Rifles as his battalion was known in January 1917.

George had been dead for a little over a year before his widow died and earned her own Portland stone CWGC headstone.

This CWGC headstone is in the churchyard of St. Bartholomew's, Armley.

Sheep in Snow Above Otley

Picture of sheep in snow covered scene above Otley, Yorkshire.

I am not really sure where this photo was taken by me about a week ago in the hills above Otley, not far from the city of Leeds. I was driving on minor roads with an eye to taking some photos of the snow.

The light was beginning to go, when I saw these sheep in a field adjacent to the road, so I pulled up got out and took a few shots.

Gull on Towpath Snow Leeds

Picture of Black-headed Gull on snow covered towpath Leeds - Liverpool canal, Leeds.

I have never really looked at a seagull close up before, this is a quite pretty bird. The Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundis is the UK's most common gull and they are now well established inland.

I came across this seagull whilst walking along the Leeds - Liverpool towpath not far from Granary Wharf, Leeds.

Leeds Student Protest - Another View

Picture showing four members of the police mounted section in Leeds during todays student protest.

Another day in Leeds, another student protest, but my post today features no students.

This is not the first time I have photographed members of the W Yorkshire Police mounted section. It is however the first time I have seen them togged up for a protest, but I guess they do the same for a football match.

The majority of the mounted section were out in Leeds today, I think fourteen horses and officers out of the 20 in the section. I stopped and chatted to a couple of the officers and also their fine horses. Pity I did not have a carrot or an apple on me at the time, although I did find it odd seeing the horses with visors.

I did not realise before but some of the horses are donated to the police. One of the horses I met was a hunter and was given to the police and kept the original name and will on retirement be returned to the donor. Lucky owner, the horse was a beautiful animal.

These officers are at the top end of Albion Street between The Light and the Halifax branch. The more observant readers will perhaps notice that the officer on the right of the photo has a red rank board, this shows his rank as an inspector.

National Short Story Day 2010 in Leeds

On Tue 21st December revel in National Short Story Day – a UK-wide celebration of prose’s short-yet-perfectly-crafted form!!


National Short Story Day 2010 in Leeds

When: 6-8pm Tues 21st Dec 2010

Where: Exhibition space, Leeds Central Library, Municipal Buildings, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3AB Tel: 0113 247 6016

What: Join us in Leeds City Centre on the shortest day of the year to celebrate National Short Story Day. We have an exciting line up of authors including novelist and short story writer M. Y. Alam, Leeds based writer and editor Tom Palmer and American young writer Alex Kris reading excerpts from their work. This is a unique event that brings together these three fantastic writers for the first time.

This event is hosted by Cadaverine Magazine, Comma Press, Route Publications and Leeds Libraries

Amongst my many photographs I cannot recall taking any of slim novels or books containing short stories but I took this picture a week or so back in The Leeds Library of which I am a member.

Sheep Above Otley in Snow

Picture of sheep in snow in field above Otley near Leeds in Yorkshire.

I was up above the town of Otley looking for some snow pictures one day this last week but by then the afternoon was nearly over and the light was beginning to fade. This picture is deceptive because as I soon discovered the snow was much deeper in places than appears from the view in this photo.

I am no expert on sheep, so I have no idea what kind these are.

A Rose Before The Snow Came to Leeds

Picture of a rose in the Churchyard of Saint Wilfrid, Calverley, Leeds.

I visited the church of Saint Wilfrid at Calverley a couple of days before the snow arrived here in Yorkshire. I took the above photo of a rose in the churchyard, there were very few flowers left, just a couple of late blooms.

The novelty of the snow has now worn off so here is a picture with no snow.

Topshop Protest Leeds

Picture of protesters outside the Topshop store on Briggate Leeds.

Another day in Leeds city centre, another protest.

This protest was part of one nationally with tax avoidance protests taken place in Birmingham, Glasgow, York, Bristol, Manchester and Nottingham, under the banner of UK Uncut. To quote from UK Uncut website.... At the same time as making massive cuts to public services, this government is letting rich individuals and corporations avoid billions of pounds of tax.

The protest in Leeds on Briggate was outside the clothing store Topshop owned by Sir Philip Green and his fashion empire - Arcadia - which spreads across 2,500 UK stores and includes top brands such as Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins.

When the government said "We are all in this together" they clearly did not intend to include Sir Phillip Green in this, which presumably is why he can avoid paying UK tax whilst at the same being seen by David Cameron as an appropriate man to advise the government on austerity.

I recall seeing a TV programme about rich people and their tax, they talked to a rich investment banker and yes he said he thought it would look unfair that he paid less tax than his house maid. Yes, I too think that this kind of thing does look very unfair.

I must point out that the protesters in Leeds were polite and were engaged in handing out flyers explaining why they were outside Topshop, including a some detail of Phillip Green and his tax scheme. They did not harass in any way anyone wanting to enter or leave the store.

Duck in Snow Leeds Towpath

Today I walked along a section of the canal towpath just south of Leeds city centre not far from the City Inn hotel. Sadly I had no bread with me, because this mallard duck seemed to think that I might have some. He seemed cheerful enough though and was quite happy to pose in the snow for me.

Gray Squirrel in Snow in Gotts Park

Picture of gray squirrel in Gotts Park, Leeds

Walking through Gotts Park, Leeds today I saw this gray squirrel rooting around under an oak tree. Whilst I much prefer the native red squirrel at the moment the gray ones are the only ones around here. Winter is a tough time for both our birds and small mammals, so I try to put food out.

Snowy Bradford

Picture of heavy snow falling in Bradford city centre, with the town hall in the photo.

I was out in the city of Bradford this afternoon and whilst walking across the city centre decided to drop by the Impressions Gallery, but it was however unusually shut, this being due to the heavy snow fall.

This afternoon this part of Yorkshire saw some of the heaviest snowfall in a long time. In the end I just took a quick photo of the Bradford town hall, did what I went into the city for and then discovered the local train service was only there in name. By the time I got nearer home the bus services has stopped too. Luckily I do not mind walking and had worn my Cagoule, complete with inner fleece, hat and gloves when I left my place earlier.