A select number of Yorkshire's youth climate activists that will be attending the COP26 summit to show the world how climate change impacts young people.
As the COP26 kicks off in Glasgow this week, leaders from around the world are discussing what can be done about the climate crisis.
Here in Leeds, we may not have the Greta Thunberg to share inspiring speeches and start a movement against carbon emissions, but we do have young people aplenty that could rival her presentations.
The Regional Youth Climate Assembly (RYCA) for Yorkshire and the Humber are fuelled by young climate activists ready to take the world on.
Inspired by the work of 18-year-old Greta Thunberg, members of these organisations, amongst other enthused teenagers will be travelling to the COP26 to ensure that the message of working locally to solve a global problem is addressed.
Members of the RYCA after their COP26 meeting. / Image: RYCA Official
Many of these activists believe that climate change is one of the most important challenges for young people to navigate.
According to a Bath University study, almost 60% of young people are either very or extremely worried about the climate crisis.
The study of 10,000 people found that over half of participants believe "humanity is doomed" and fuels much of the anxiety and fear within society today.
The RYCA is made up of teenagers from every corner of Yorkshire, with a particularly strong presence in Leeds, Sheffield and Doncaster.
Speaking out about their organisation, representatives have explained that they are not "just the typical A star students". There are plenty of typically disengaged teenage boys that want to get involved and often ask the RYCA how they can make a difference.
The presence of both the RYCA and other local climate activist groups like Youth4Climate Leeds have made Leeds into a prominent city for climate activism, holding strikes and sharing endless petitions online to make the public aware of their responsibility to the planet.
A recent climate emergency strike held by Youth4Climate Leeds. / Image: Youth4Climate Leeds
However past workshops and events will soon be considered a small step compared to the RYCA's venture to the COP26 this week.
The Yorkshire activists will be showing their project entitled 'The Ripple Effect', a film that showcases young people's voices across the world.
The project will allow young people to share their personal experiences of climate change: from the droughts in South Africa to 10-year-olds sharing the life-changing effects of flooding.
Regional climate meetings are more prominent in Yorkshire than any other county, according to the RYCA.
There are currently no similar groups in Cambridgeshire or Kent, areas that have been previously known for activism.
To follow RYCA's journey at the COP26 summit, visit their Instagram page.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Sophie Smith -
1st November 2021 
