Yorkshire Life: Special magazine to mark 80th anniversary

Olympian Jonny Brownlee, writer Dame Margaret Drabble, Lord William Hague, singer Jane McDonald and Kaiser Chief Ricky Wilson are among the well-wishers featured in the magazine's 300-page anniversary edition. The celebratory edition also includes a free print of 'Yorkshire Life', a painting created by Yorkshire landscape artist Linda Mellin to mark the anniversary. Linda's career took off after she won the magazine's 'Artist of the Year' award in 2017. The magazine also features a personal piece about Alf Wight, author of the James Herriot books which have become synonymous with Yorkshire. Written by Wight's daughter, Rosie Page, who turns 80 next year, 'My Dad, Mr Yorkshire' tells of her childhood in the Dales accompanying her father on his rounds as a vet. She reflects on his legacy, Herriot Country, and the enduring appeal of his All Creatures Great & Small books. The first edition of Yorkshire Life was published as a 30-page quarterly magazine in 1946. The anniversary edition looks back over the years and highlights 80 Yorkshire icons. Celebrities were asked to name their own icons, whilst reflecting on memories of their Yorkshire life over past decades. Helen Fielding, author of the Bridget Jones books, reveals her icon is Alan Bennett, with whom she has shared 'tea and a custard cream'. Dame Judi Dench, David Hockney and Dickie Bird lead the list of revered 'icons'. Kathryn Armstrong has been editor of the Newsquest-owned Yorkshire Life since 2019 and says creating this edition has been a career high. 'There's an awful lot of love for Yorkshire, the county and beyond, so reflecting that for an anniversary edition has been quite an undertaking. I think we've made something celebratory, joyous and as beautiful as print always is. 'From 30 pages in 1946 to 300 today feels like something to be proud of. 'Like many a journalist, I have a collection of famous front pages and special editions. This one is certainly a keeper.'