8 interesting things you might not know about West Yorkshire
From Hockney to M&S... West Yorkshire is great!
Last updated 24th May 2021
From the vibrant city of Leeds to the industrial history of Bradford, there are many reasons to be proud of West Yorkshire.
A region that has brought you everything from the artist David Hockney, to Jelly Tots, we’ve compiled eight interesting facts about the area that are sure to blow you away!
1. Hockney was born here
That's right, no other than David Hockney was born in West Yorkshire! A sensation of the pop-art world, Hockney was born in Bradford. The artist became a record breaker in November 2018 when his 1972 work 'Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)' sold for a whopping £70 million! This resulted in the piece becoming the most expensive artwork by a living artist sold at auction until the record was beaten in May 2019.
2. ‘Wool’derful
Talking of Bradford, the city has soft water perfect for washing the delicate material that is wool. Therefore, it has been known as the "wool capital of the world" and played a key part in the industrial revolution.
3. Let’s make a crumble!
Who doesn't love a rhubarb crumble with a massive dollop of custard!? Well, you have West Yorkshire to thank for its main ingredient! A small area between Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell might be better known to some as 'The Rhubarb Triangle', once upon a time it produced 90% of the world's forced winter rhubarb – yummy!
4. This is not just West Yorkshire...
Marks & Sparks, M&S, Marks & Spencer… was founded in Leeds! Kirkgate Market was home to the first appearance of the well-known retailer back in 1884 when Michael Marks opened the first Penny Bazaar stall, later to be named what we know it as today, Marks & Spencer.
5. Mrs Peacock with the candlestick in the library
Not only did Leeds give us M&S, but the West Yorkshire city also gave us the family favourite of Cluedo! Birmingham lad Anthony E. Pratt created history when he took his idea to Waddingtons in Leeds; the card and board game manufacturer could see Pratt's passion for all thing's detective novels and crime…and hey presto!
6. On Ilkla Mooar baht 'at!
Considered the county anthem of Yorkshire by many Yorkshire folk, "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at" or 'On Ilkley Moor without a hat' in non-dialect is of course a song about Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire. It is believed that the words of the popular song were created by members of a church choir on an outing in the moorlands.
7. The name is Bond, James Bond
We all know that James Bond's favourite car is the Aston Martin, but did you know that a Huddersfield man had his part to play in the making of the luxury car? In 1947, David Brown who had previously owned a tractor business bought Aston Martin and made his mark upon the creation of the DB models.
8. One small step for man….
Sugary goodness, who doesn't love a jelly tot!? The confectionary was invented in West Yorkshire! Transporting many back to their childhood with its taste, the sweet was created in the town of Horsforth by Brian Boffey. To add to this wonderful fact, Boffey's creation was a happy accident when experimenting with different ways to produce powdered jelly and he went on to help NASA create freeze-dried food for their missions!