As Yorkshire as Dickie Bird, Thora Hird or BBC Look Norths

The late great

Harry Gration

ME? Coming from a Southern Hemisphere Nation

Would I ever qualify?

To aspire...is it

Pie in the sky?

Picked up lots of sayings along the way

Eee Bah Gum!...

Ooh Aye!

As Anthony used to say

When I was his PA

Ringing up Diane to ask her out-she “wont in”!

Her Dad passed on the message

“Some posh bloke wants to talk to you”...lol!

If only he knew

I’m a mere worker for BT

Not a Prince you see!

When courting Diane I tried to imitate her speech

Her Ma said “thats how she speaks!” lol!..

Her brothers did a good imitation of me I believe

I never got to hear it

That southern drawl

Sounds like you come from around Durban City Hall!

Ja OK thats alraat! boet ...lekker(good!)

Surf holiday coastal city in Kwa-Zulu Natal,

KZN for short,

It had beaches and all!

Auntie Sheila was a card

Reet Yorkshire...charm in her voice and manner

We can still enjoy her video commentary

Of our return to Leeds

From “that place in the South” We went to live for a while indeed

Six thousand miles from London Heathrow

How were we to know

What we would miss most was fish and chips, pie and peas, currant teacakes, Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding - all done proper and even

The rain and snow!

Ya know!

Also the different seasons appreciated to be seen...

Not one endless summer, cups of tea and bad company

No - I now think I’m converted from my African past and ties

Which will always be there

But I prefer to be HERE- no lies!

Bolton Abbey, Dales, Moors and Fells

Scarborough and Whitby

A world in one county

Such variety...fab scenery

Friendly welcoming folk

By and large

The odd off-beat lad‘n lass

But you get that anywhere!

Those who stare and say Bah! without engaging brain!

When lovely scenery gazing at from on a train

Enjoying the beautiful Yorkshire countryside

I can now see why there is such a thing as “Yorkshire Pride”

And in the country take a ride

Its all good stoof!

Some places a bit rough

A job “well doon mate!”

Yorkshire - “Gods Own County” to some and I can see why they feel that way

A friend said to me in the recent past

“Steve you are so Northern in your speech and point of view”

I look at that as an endorsement which I trust

An honest opinion which I gladly accepted from a Dalesman of many years res

Being straight-talking

Calling a spade a spade

Like a friend who liked a pun

He was like that but he also had fun

And a side for humour

Rothwell folk full of goss and rumour!

Lovely folk I’ve met

Some not so much we can’t all get along - but we try!..

“Like draws to like”

And a friendly smile and chat goes a long way

Who’s got it?

We can all get it...it’s attitude

At the end of the day

So - this thing of North and South divide

Has been breached

From my side anyway!

We all, in our variety of background and culture

Have something to offer

To contribute

To give

To care

The Brave New World

North South East West

I want you and me to be there