Patricia Hall Inquest

The sister of a Leeds woman who went missing 34 years ago has said the opening of an inquest into her presumed death is a "tremendous milestone". Patricia Hall vanished in 1992. Her husband Keith Hall was tried for her murder but found not guilty after an alleged taped confession that he had strangled her was ruled inadmissible at his trial.

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Shoplifting

I've been investigating the crime of shoplifting and finding out how shop-owners and the police are trying to tackle the problem. I wrote this story for the BBC News website and made this TV report...

War Dog

I had a thoroughly enjoyable morning visiting Lawns Park Primary School in Leeds. They invited in a children's author who's written a book about the remarkable Second World War dog called Judy. 'War Dog' is the first picture book written by Leeds author Tom Palmer. 

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Balloon Artist

I've been to see a balloon artist from Yorkshire who's won Designer of the Year award at an international competition in the Netherlands. Alison Garnham from Ossett lost her job during the first Covid lockdown and started her business making balloon designs for parties and events. It’s been so successful she opened a shop in Ossett earlier this year.

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Alfie Franco Murder Trial Defence

This week I covered a murder trial in Leeds. A man accused of stabbing a 16-year-old Syrian refugee to death said he only intended to cut his cheek and "didn't believe it" when police told him he’d died. Alfie Franco from Kirkburton, denies the murder of Ahmad Al Ibrahim, who was stabbed in the neck in a crowded shopping street in Huddersfield on the afternoon of the 3rd April this year. 

Alfie Franco has since been found guilty of Ahmad Al Ibrahim's murder.

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Uni Accommodation

With university term back in full-swing, some students are choosing to live at home rather than in student accommodation. The reasons include the cost of living crisis and student loans not covering all the expenses of being at uni. I've been to meet a Leeds Beckett Uni student who's stayed at home and one who moved out.

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Parkrun for Rob Burrow

Parkrun events across West Yorkshire paid tribute to Rob Burrow last weekend. The former Leeds Rhinos star died aged 41. The 5 kilometre run in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield encouraged participants to wear Rhinos colours in memory of Rob. I combined my love of running and filming by joining them at the start line at Rothwell Parkrun in Leeds!

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Train Strikes Live Leeds Railway Station

I reported live from Leeds railway station on the train driver strikes.

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Ice Hockey First Aid

I've been filming with ice hockey teams in Sheffield and Leeds as first aid kits have been given to teams across Yorkshire. It follows the death of Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson last October. Johnson was fatally hit in the neck by a skate during a match at Sheffield Arena against the Steelers.

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As well as filming and editing this story, I also wrote and took the photos for this article on the BBC News website. It was the first time I'd written a story on my own for the website so felt like quite an achievement. We are now, truly, multi-media journalists.

School Trip

A community in Leeds has rallied round to raise thousands of pounds to enable more than fifty children in their area to go on a residential school trip to Whitby. Meadowfield Primary School in Halton Moor was forced to scrap their annual 3 day trip because they simply couldn't afford it any more. But when the owner of the local corner shop found out, he stepped in to fundraise three grand.

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Gymnastics

I reported from Leeds Gymnastics Club on the homecoming of two of their athletes who'd competed at the European Gymnastics Championships in Turkey.

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Nile Wilson - Dancing on Ice

We filmed with Olympic bronze medallist Nile Wilson and his partner Olivia Smart in training for TV show 'Dancing on Ice'. The former Leeds gymnast admitted feeling sad and lost after retiring two years ago but doing the show has given Nile a renewed purpose in life.

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England Women Rugby League

England Women's training camp has been taking place in Leeds ahead of the start of the Women's Rugby League World Cup at Headingley. I went to film with them at one of their last training sessions before it kicks off.

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Leeds Festival

I reported on the disorder at Leeds Festival. Tents were set on fire and we were told bottles and rocks were thrown as trouble flared at the festival.

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Running & Filming Leeds Half Marathon

When I was told I was going to be reporting on Leeds Half Marathon I said to the producer Jennifer that I could run it and film it at the same time! I realised it was a bit of a mad idea but to her credit she agreed. Cameraman Dan Nelson provided me with a small 360 camera (where it films all around you) on a selfie stick and I filmed about 5 different sections of the race while I was running including an interview with Leeds Rhinos coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan who I spotted halfway through. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of running the race then putting this story together with Dan. An exhilarating and exhausting experience!

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David Oluwale plaque stolen

This week I covered a breaking story that a blue plaque honouring a Nigerian man who drowned after he was chased by police had been stolen. The memorial to David Oluwale, on Leeds Bridge, disappeared just hours after it was unveiled. I headed down to the bridge and sent this report for the Look North lunch bulletin. I also sent photos to colleagues on the BBC website and they were used in the online article.

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Youth Farm

Young volunteers from one of the most deprived areas in the country have been giving away an abundance of fresh vegetables they've grown themselves at an urban farm in the Harehills area of Leeds. The youngsters have built the farm from scratch at the charity CATCH with the help of an academic from the University of Leeds.

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Headingley Cricket

I went to Headingley stadium in Leeds as spectators were back there to watch men's cricket for the first time in nearly two years. Around two and a half thousand fans were watching the first day of the County Championship match against Sussex. I did a live 'top and tail' to the report to bring the viewers up to speed with the latest score and set the context for my report. I was losing my voice that day, which you'll probably be able to hear, but thankfully it held out!

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Reporting at Elland Road Protest

I reported live from outside Elland Road where fans protested against the formation of the new European Super League. One of the teams involved was Leeds United's opponents, Liverpool.

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It was a busy night for me as I was the only BBC reporter there. As well as posting videos and photos to BBC colleagues for an online article and social media video, I also did lives for BBC Radio Leeds and provided an interview with Graham Hyde from Leeds United Supporters' Trust. I then edited a report for our late bulletin on Look North which I can't post here as Sky Sports owns the copyright of the match action.

Leeds Tram

It’s a century since the Leeds 345 vintage tramcar, first entered public service. The tramcar has been fully restored and is based at Crich Tramway Village. I had the job of the day reporting from a fascinating museum in the Peak District with cameraman Lee.

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