A dad and daughter from Leeds are taking on an epic 274-mile tandem bike ride this week - and it's all in the name of charity.
The pair are hoping that the money they raise from their charity cycle will help to find a cure for brain tumours.
Having lost someone close to the disease, it's a personal cause for Professor Philip Howard OBE of Cookridge and his daughter Abby.
Philip is a consultant antimicrobial pharmacist, whilst Abby works as a carer for the charity Hft.
They'll be riding on a Dawes Discovery Twin bike for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
The pair lost father Philip's cousin Graham Green to the disease last September, following a battle with an aggressive brain tumour.
Graham was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioma in his frontal lobe in September 2019 and given just six to 12 months to live by doctors.
"He passed just a year later at the age of 67," Philip told the Yorkshire Evening Post, adding "Graham was the funniest and most generous person you would ever meet."
“So many friends I know have either lost someone to a brain tumour, or know someone fighting the disease."
He went on to explain that, unlike other cancers, there is no screening or genetic testing for this specific type of brain tumour so funding for new research is important to help improve earlier detection and survival rates.
Philip and Abby will be taking part in Cycle 274 Miles in August - which gives people the chance to complete their challenge virtually either outdoors, in the gym, or at home on a static bike.
They will be taking the tandem out on the road, though, for an epic cycle that'll see them set off from Philip’s home in Cookridge on 16 August, aiming to arrive at Abby’s home in the Easton area of Bristol on 20 August.
Taking the eastern John O’Groats to Lands End route, they will pass via Doncaster, Derby, Nottingham, Coventry, Cheltenham and Gloucester on their epic 274-mile trek.
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Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
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.
Georgina Pellant -
5th August 2021 
