Making what happens in Westminster relevant to people in the North. Featuring a great guest from our region and insight from our very own northern political team.
Taking the Knee and Yorkshire’s supermarkets
Sol B River is a Leeds-born writer and TV producer. His recent documentary about the first black university student in 1960s Mississippi won plaudits around the world. In a week which has seen such focus on football and racism, we asked Sol - a big football fan - to give us his view - of 'taking the knee,' the racism faced by players and the changes he wants politicians to make.
And Business Analyst Danni Hewson joins Gemma and James to talk about Yorkshire’s proud supermarket heritage. It comes after potential talks of a takeover for Bradford family owned Morrisons.
7/17/2021 • 30 minutes, 23 seconds
Justice for our Postmasters
Former sub-postmasters across Yorkshire have been trying to clear their names after they were involved in one of the UK’s biggest miscarriages of Justice a scandal spanning 20 years. It was after money went missing from their accounts following a problem with a newly installed computer system. An inquiry is now underway to get to the bottom of how this happened. Caroline has spoken to families who devoted their lives to serving the Post Office who were then accused of crimes they didn’t commit.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Studio Director: Qendresa Zena
7/9/2021 • 27 minutes, 6 seconds
Spen(d)ing some time in Batley
The team speak to Politics Professor Dr Victoria Honeyman from the University of Leeds and local businessman Mike from Mike's carpets to assess the result of the recent Batley and Spen By-Election. We also hear from the winning candidate and now MP, Labour's Kim Leadbeater.
7/4/2021 • 29 minutes, 24 seconds
The Battle for Batley
Aisha, Tim, Gemma and James talk about the battle for Batley with just days to go until the by-election. Gemma speaks to the BBC's Chief Political Advisor Ric Bailey about how the BBC covers a by-election and how the decide to allocate time to covering each of the candidates. And young film maker Sam talks to James and Gemma about why the area is such a good place to work and live.
6/26/2021 • 31 minutes, 40 seconds
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside
Look North reporter David Rhodes speaks to the team about the cost of setting-up Yorkshire’s Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate and the way public money was spent on the project. It was one of a number of temporary hospitals built at the height of the pandemic. And Gemma catches up with BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Scott Dalton and Sharon Edwards who have spent the last week in Skegness talking to the people that keep our coast open for tourists.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Studio Director: Qendresa Zena
6/19/2021 • 26 minutes, 41 seconds
Belting out a Tune and the Comeback Kid
The team catch up with bar owner Martin Greenhow from Yorkshire to discuss the lifting of restrictions on June 21st. Tim speaks to singer Nancy from Goole about the impact of the pandemic on performers. She also belts out a tune for us. And the team also talk Batley, Boundaries and surge testing.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
6/13/2021 • 29 minutes, 39 seconds
Pina Colada and a By-Election
Batley and Spen will have a new MP this summer. People have just days to go to declare an interest in standing in the Batley and Spen By-Election. It’s after Tracy Brabin stood down after being elected as the new Mayor for West Yorkshire. Aisha and James profile the area – what are the challenges facing the candidates? And Tim talks about the Yorkshire MPs who are preparing to rebel against the government over foreign aid cuts. We hear from one charity in Yorkshire supporting those overseas.Producer: Louise Wheeler
6/4/2021 • 23 minutes, 21 seconds
The Next Generation
The team speak to Joeli Brearley from York who set up the campaign ‘Pregnant then Screwed’ – about the impact of the pandemic on families. And he’s just been made chair of Bassetlaw District Council at the age of 20. It should have happened last year but was delayed. Jack Bowker is a Labour Councillor who elected in 2019 while still doing his A-Levels.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
5/23/2021 • 28 minutes, 47 seconds
Batley, Ballots and Business
As restrictions ease further from Monday – the team talk to a Yorkshire business owner about their hopes and fears going forward. And after Tracy Brabin was elected as the mayor of West Yorkshire – there will be a by-election in Batley and Spen. Gemma and Tim are joined by Dr Patrick English and Dr Victoria Honeyman to discuss the political parties chances of winning the seat.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
5/17/2021 • 30 minutes, 43 seconds
Out for the Count
James, Gemma, Tim, Liz and Kevin discuss the 2021 local election results for our region. From the West Yorkshire Mayor to PCC's to a No Overall Control Council in Sheffield. How did the pandemic impact voting and counting? What was turnout like? And what do these results mean for the parties?
5/10/2021 • 30 minutes, 21 seconds
Independent living and pandemic polling
Asta from East Yorkshire was given just one week to live when he was born. He's now 39. Asta has lived independently but is now back at home being cared for by his parents. He believes problems in the delivery of adult social care, especially for younger people, means many are unable to live on their own.
And with less than a week to go, James, Gemma and Tim discuss the local elections. They speak to a former Chief Executive of Doncaster City Council, now based in New Zealand, about the challenges of holding an election during a pandemic.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
Director: Elaine Peters
5/2/2021 • 31 minutes, 58 seconds
Protests and Polling Booths
Musician and campaigner Bax Mundoba from Hull reflects on the BLM protests that took place across the world following the death of George Floyd in the US. How much change have those protests led to and what are his hopes for societal change regarding race?
In a few weeks we go to the polls for the local elections. For the first time people living in West Yorkshire will be able to vote for a Mayor. What is the Mayor and what powers do they have? James speaks to the political reporter for Bradford - Aisha Iqbal and the political reporter for Leeds - Kevin Larkin.
4/25/2021 • 28 minutes, 1 second
Ales and nails: Getting back to business
Tim speaks to Lord Timothy Kirkhope of Harrogate as he remembers the Duke. And as restrictions ease we hear from a bar owner in Yorkshire on how the last week has been. Martin Greenhow says that they need to keep their doors open and be able to trade or else it'll have a detrimental impact on the country's economy. And the team check in with the North Yorkshire town of Thirsk. Ionica Adriana and Gemma Taylor have made a video with independent businesses to encourage people to shop local. We also hear from one of the businesses that appears in the video - Lesley a beautician.
Director: Elaine Peters
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
4/18/2021 • 29 minutes, 46 seconds
One Year since Lockdown...
Gemma, Tim, James and Aisha mark a year since the PM announced the first national lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. Gemma speaks to Look North’s Health Correspondent Jamie Coulson as he reflects on the last 12 months covering the pandemic. Plus they’ve roped in two Journalism students who put their concerns about their studies and their future direct to Universities Minister.
Producer : Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
3/21/2021 • 33 minutes, 41 seconds
Yorkshire Remembers Sarah
Gemma, Tim and James speak to Charlotte Butterick who organised an online vigil in Halifax in memory of Sarah Everard. Charlotte speaks openly about her own personal experience and reflects on what politicians need to do to end violence against women.
Sound: Adam Campbell
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Studio Director: Qendresa Zena
3/14/2021 • 24 minutes, 32 seconds
Funds, funds and fun
Labour has described money set aside by the government to fund town improvements as ‘pork barrel politics.’ The Government says the money has been allocated based on need to struggling communities. James, Gemma and Tim look in detail at the funding and what it means for Yorkshire. School is now longer out. As pupils prepare to return on Monday 8th March Gemma’s been to North Yorkshire to find out how staff and students are feeling. She also speaks Sir Martin Narey, who is based in Whitby, about the work being undertaken to make sure the gap doesn’t widen for the disadvantaged.
Sound: Adam Campbell
Producer: Louise Wheeler
3/7/2021 • 28 minutes, 1 second
Comedy, (God’s own) county and the coast
Self-catering owner Helen from North Yorkshire joins the team to reflect on the last year, her budget hopes and thoughts on the PM’s road map. Gemma speaks to a vaccination volunteer where they are doing 1,800 vaccinations a day. That’s one every 3 minutes. And Aisha Iqbal discusses Baroness Warsi taking to the stage for comedy and how the former Co-Chairwoman of the Conservative Party compares her colleagues to Games of Throne characters!
Sound: Adam Campbell
Producer: Louise Wheeler
2/28/2021 • 22 minutes, 27 seconds
Accents and Austin
Tim and James speak to a language expert from Sheffield who says the Yorkshire accent is encouraging more people to take part in test and trace because they trust the accent! We also hear from former Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell and wife Linda who talk about life in Lockdown 3, having their vaccinations and the secret to a happy marriage when you’re both stuck inside the same four walls.
Sound: Adam Campbell
Producer: Louise Wheeler
2/18/2021 • 23 minutes, 29 seconds
Valentines, Vince and Vaccinations
The team speak to York born and former Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable. He discusses how he is coping in lockdown, how he would have handled the pandemic and what he misses about Yorkshire.
Sound: Adam Campbell
Producer: Louise Wheeler
2/14/2021 • 23 minutes, 10 seconds
Polling, The PM and Parish Councils
Gemma, James and Tim discuss May's local and mayoral elections in England which will be going ahead. They look at how they will work in a Covid-safe way. Aisha Iqbal speaks to the Prime Minister about the vaccination programme in Yorkshire after he visited Batley. We've heard a lot recently about mental health during the pandemic. Recent research shows that nearly all colleges in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have at least one student who's made an attempt on their own lives in the past 12 months. We hear from one school in North Yorkshires about what they are doing to support their pupils. More support on this issue can be found here on the BBC's Action Line page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/
If you have a question for the team and want to get in touch please email Look.North@bbc.co.uk and put ‘Yorkshirecast’ in the subject of the email.
Sound: Adam Campbell
Producer: Louise Wheeler
2/7/2021 • 24 minutes, 43 seconds
One Year On
A year ago two Chinese nationals tested positive for coronavirus for the first time in the UK after falling ill at a hotel in York. The city came under the national spotlight with medics in hazmat suits dealing with early concerns about the new virus. 12 months on and Gemma, James and Tim reflect on the story that radically changed the way we live. They speak to Samara Jones who was the Student Union president at the University of York at the time. She became a key figure in providing information and support to students at the campus.The BBC's Health and Science Correspondent James Gallagher also joins the team to reflect how his team covered the story.
If you have a question for the team and want to get in touch please email Look.North@bbc.co.uk and put ‘Yorkshirecast’ in the subject of the email.
Sound: Adam Campbell
Producer: Louise Wheeler
1/31/2021 • 29 minutes, 44 seconds
Professor, propaganda and plants
Gemma, Tim and James speak to Professor Richard Bentall from the University of Sheffield. He is part of a team studying people's attitudes towards lockdown. Professor Bentall also talks about how to be resilient during a pandemic. BBC Bradford's political reporter Aisha Iqbal joins Tim to discuss her investigation into how misinformation is being spread about the Covid-19 vaccine. It's feared that this fake news is leading to some communities to reject the vaccine. And James talks house plants. It's after a letter to the local newspaper wanted to know more about how James keeps his house plants looking so good.
If you have a question for the team and want to get in touch please email Look.North@bbc.co.uk and put ‘Yorkshirecast’ in the subject of the email.
Sound: Adam Campbell
Producer: Louise Wheeler
1/24/2021 • 30 minutes, 12 seconds
Walks, talks and York
The team talk to 17 year old Angus and Emily from Harrogate who are in their second year studying for their A-Levels. Both feel that their life is hold as they continue to stay at home and study. And walking enthusiast Andrew White from Yorkshire talks to Gemma, James and Tim about how the outdoors can help when we're feeling a bit down. He talks to the team about great local walks that people can do from their doorstep.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
Director: Qendresa Zena
1/17/2021 • 26 minutes, 10 seconds
'Are we recording now?'
As Lockdown 3.0 kicks in James, Tim and Gemma talk to a Rotherham secondary school Headteacher about the challenges they are facing. What have they done to shift learning online? And Former Times Journalist and Yorkshireman Peter Davenport who now does PR crisis management assesses how the government is handling its communication during a crisis. How does he rate their efforts?
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
Studio Director: Daryl Wintle
1/10/2021 • 24 minutes, 17 seconds
Christmas Special: Pubs, panto and politics
As many areas remain in tier 3, Gemma, James and Tim discuss what that means for the region. Pub landlords Ricky and Darren from Hornsea tell Tim that Christmas takings usually keep them afloat until Easter, but now they are diversifying to keep their business running. Thirsk actor Ionica Adriana and Bradford panto legend Billy Pearce share their disappointment about Panto being postponed. And Chris Mason swaps Newscast for Yorkshirecast to reflect on 2020 with James.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
Studio Director: Alice Hawes
12/18/2020 • 40 minutes, 30 seconds
Brexit, Bradford and Brass bands
Deal or no deal? The team talk about the latest Brexit developments. We hear from Caroline Flint, the former Labour MP for Don Valley, who lost her seat a year ago. One year on, does she feel that the Labour Party is in a better place? BBC Radio Bradford launched earlier this month. New breakfast presenter Rima Ahmed talks about why the new radio station is important for local communities. And without summer concerts and Christmas events how are Yorkshire's brass bands coping? Alex Parker from the Save our Brass Band Campaign talks to the team about the impact of the pandemic.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
Studio Director: Daryl Wintle
12/13/2020 • 35 minutes, 23 seconds
Retail, Restrictions and Roy's Rolls
For most of the region they left lockdown with tougher restrictions compared to when they entered - some businesses are thriving but others are struggling. The team speak to Katrina Pierce from the Federation of Small Businesses in Lincolnshire. Julie Kaye from Springfield Mills in Denby Dale talks to Gemma, Tim and James about how retailers are coping and what they can do to make the most of the last few weeks of Christmas trading.
And celebrating 60 years of Coronation Street with former Corrie star and now MP Tracy Brabin.
PRODUCER: Louise Wheeler
STUDIO DIRECTOR: Elaine Peters
SOUND: Adam Campbell
12/6/2020 • 35 minutes, 24 seconds
Decisions, delays and dancing with chairs
Helen Pidd, the North of England editor of The Guardian speaks to James, Tim and Gemma about visiting Hull and Maltby in South Yorkshire during lockdown, her insights into how people are dealing with coronavirus and the confusion/frustration over tiers.
Wayne Topley is Chair of the Leeds Hotels and Venues Association. He runs hotels in tier 3 and tier 2 and talks about the challenges facing hospitality. He also tells James, Tim and Gemma that dancing with chairs will be a 2020 Christmas party must.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Studio Director: Alice Hawes
Sound: Adam Campbell
11/29/2020 • 34 minutes, 52 seconds
Flooding, Feeding and Fa la la la la
Dubbed ' Persistent Pam' by the Prime Minister Pam from Fishlake near Doncaster had her home and spa business flooded a year ago. With flooding and a pandemic to deal with the team reflect on a difficult year for Pam.
Grimsby's Zane Powles MBE spent lockdown delivering school meals to children. Gemma, Tim and James talk to Zane about community spirit and the importance of communities pulling together during difficult times.
And is Christmas cancelled? The team talk through how they might be celebrating.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
Director: Alice Hawes
11/22/2020 • 30 minutes, 12 seconds
Hull, Hollyoaks and Heseltine
Hull has had some of the highest infection rates in the country this week.
The team take a look at why that is the case with BBC Look North's Health Correspondent Vicky Johnson.
Singer and former Hollyoaks actress Twinnie Lee-Moore from York discusses the impact of coronavirus on the performing arts sector.
She also talks about how she's spending lockdown and about moving back in with her mum.
Former deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine talks about the importance of levelling up the north, a single Yorkshire mayor and his spitting image persona.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Studio Director: Qendresa Zena
Sound: Adam Campbell
11/15/2020 • 41 minutes, 23 seconds
Bradford and Box sets
James, Gemma and Tim talk to the BBC's Bradford political reporter Aisha Iqbal about her recovery from coronavirus.
Shahid Islam, who researches health inequalities, discusses how the virus has impacted on Bradford and argues that it is disproportionately impacting those from BAME backgrounds.
And as lockdown 2.0 gets underway, the team talk about the box sets and hobbies that'll be keeping them busy over the coming weeks.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Sound: Adam Campbell
11/6/2020 • 29 minutes, 4 seconds
Lockdown, Labour and a love-in.
Another national lockdown will take place to try and stop the spread of Coronavirus. The team talks through the challenge of covering a constantly changing story with Geri Scott the Westminster Correspondent from the Yorkshire Post.
Life-long Labour supporter Dame Maureen Lipman from Hull talks about anti-Semitism and Jeremy Corbyn. The actress and comedian also discusses lockdown and Coronation Street.
And we're only on episode 4, but Yorkshirecast has some loyal fans already. Gemma, Tim and James find out what the Yorkshirecast fans are enjoying so far about the podcast.
Producer: Louise Wheeler
Studio Director: Alice Hawes
Sound: Adam Campbell
11/1/2020 • 29 minutes, 4 seconds
Barnsley, Blunkett and Butties
Maureen from Barnsley said she didn't want to be 'fastened to her home.' Her no nonsense attitude won her fans on social media. Barnsley based businesswoman Rita gave us her insight into the straight talking attitude of South Yorkshire.
Former Labour Sheffield MP Lord Blunkett told Tim, Gemma and James that tougher restrictions are putting a huge strain on people and their businesses. He also spoke about his own personal struggle in dealing with lockdown.
And Tim turns the tables on James for this week's quiz.
Studio director Qendresa Zena
Producer Louise Wheeler
10/25/2020 • 33 minutes, 23 seconds
Tiers, beers and fears
The team discuss how the new local restrictions and tiers have been received in Yorkshire.
The owner of a chain of cocktail bars across the North, Martin Greenhow, talks to the team about the challenges of running a business when the rules are different in each area.
And Dr Henna Anwar from Huddersfield gives wellbeing advice about how to avoid burnout and cope with anxiety fears during a pandemic.
If you need to speak to someone about your mental health more help and support can be found on the BBC’s Action Line page: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/
10/18/2020 • 34 minutes, 13 seconds
The First One
Yorkshire's Political Editors James Vincent and Tim Iredale along with Politics Reporters Gemma Dillon and Aisha Iqbal talk to a wedding venue owner from Rishi Sunak's constituency in North Yorkshire and take a quiz on lockdown rules.
10/12/2020 • 27 minutes, 43 seconds
Welcome to Yorkshirecast
Making what happens in Westminster relevant to people in the North. Featuring a great guest from our region and insight from our very own northern political team.