What Positive News Is Happening In Yorkshire With The BBC, Children In Need And Historic England?

Sometimes it feels like you can't switch on the news without hearing something a bit gloomy. But actually, there are loads of amazing things happening every single day, especially across Yorkshire. From Hollywood stars bringing some early Christmas cheer to important old buildings getting a new lease of life, there's plenty of positive news to go around.

People are getting together for charity, finding new ways to support their health, and saving local history. Let's have a look at some of the highlights that show just how brilliant Yorkshire is.

Hollywood comes to York for a festive movie

Fancy a bit of early Christmas magic? Well, the streets of York got just that, as the city was transformed into a winter wonderland for the filming of a brand new festive movie. The film, called Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint, brought a sprinkle of stardust to the city, with some seriously famous faces spotted out and about. We're talking big-name stars like Richard E Grant, Celia Imrie, and Adjoa Andoh. Imagine popping out for a loaf of bread and bumping into one of them!

Seeing the filming crews set up their equipment and the famous actors in costume is a proper buzz for any city. It turns familiar streets into a real-life film set. This kind of filming not only brings a bit of glamour but also showcases the beautiful city of York to a massive audience when the movie comes out. It's the kind of positive news that puts a smile on everyone's face and gets people excited for the Christmas season, even if it's a bit early. The whole event is a fantastic highlight for the region.

Three legs for a great cause: Children in Need

Speaking of things that make you smile, how about this for a picture? Radio presenters from across Yorkshire tying their legs together and walking through a shopping centre. It sounds a bit daft, but it was all for an amazing cause. Presenters from BBC Radio Sheffield, including Nick Wilson and Kat Cowan, took on a three-legged walk to raise money for Children in Need. It's a brilliant way to do something for charity, isn't it?

This wasn't just a local stroll, either. It was part of a huge national challenge where BBC radio stations from all over the country are aiming to walk a massive 1,000 miles combined. They're stopping off at famous landmarks and pretty spots along the way, raising awareness and money for Children in Need. It's a fantastic effort from the radio presenters, showing that a bit of fun and teamwork can make a huge difference in the life of a child. This kind of charity event really brings communities together.

A boatload of fun and recovery with dragon boat racing

Over in East Yorkshire, a fantastic project is helping women affected by breast cancer in their recovery. What's the secret? It's something you might not expect: dragon boat racing. It's a seriously cool sport where a team of people paddle a long, narrow boat, often decorated to look like a dragon. It's all about working together and getting into a rhythm. But it's not just for fun; it has some amazing health benefits.

Dr Jennie Ormerod from Castle Hill Hospital explained how the upper body exercise involved in dragon boat racing can be a massive help. It can reduce the chances of getting lymphedema, which is a painful swelling that can sometimes happen after surgery for breast cancer. She said, "Because you remove some of the lymph nodes that means that the lymphatic system doesn't drain as effectively as it normally would." So, an activity like dragon boat racing helps get that system working better. It's an incredible story of recovery, teamwork, and finding a new passion that improves your quality of life after a tough time. It's positive news like this that truly inspires.

Historic heritage sites saved from ruin

Yorkshire is packed with history, from old castles to industrial buildings that tell the story of the region. But keeping these places standing takes a lot of work. The good news is that twelve important heritage sites in Yorkshire have been saved from being lost forever this year, thanks to a lot of hard work and essential repairs. These sites were on the Heritage at Risk Register, a list kept by Historic England of places that are in a bad state.

One of the saved sites is the impressive Rockingham Kiln in Swinton, a huge brick structure that was once used for firing pottery. After extensive repairs, it's now safe and has been removed from the danger list. Other heritage sites in Sheffield, Leeds, and Bradford have also been saved. This means that these amazing links to our past will be around for future generations to enjoy. It's fantastic to know that these historic treasures are being looked after. This effort ensures that the character and story of Yorkshire are preserved.

If you fancy catching up on more good news and local stories, you can always listen to highlights on BBC Sounds or catch the latest episode of Look North. It's a great way to stay connected with all the positive things happening right on your doorstep.