Yorkshire stories from 2025 to make you smile
PA Media/David Levene/Bradford City of Culture 2025/Helen Tabor PhotographyAcross Yorkshire, there were people doing amazing things every day this year.
From big events, like Bradford's UK City of Culture celebrations and Kevin Sinfield's 7in7 Together challenge, to families doing their little bits to make a difference, there were plenty of joyful moments over the past 12 months.
Here's 12 of the best to bring a smile to your face as we prepare to bid farewell to 2025.
City of Culture kicks off 2025
David Levene/Bradford 2025 UK City of CultureAn estimated 10,000 people celebrated the start of Bradford's year as UK City of Culture at an open-air show in January.
The event, titled Rise, went ahead despite temperatures of -3C (26.6F) with performances from magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, 10-year-old rapper Cruzy T, poet Kirsty Taylor, a live orchestra and hundreds of musicians and dancers.
Teenager recreates Venus sculpture in snow
Emily BatesDuring a cold snap in January, teenage art student Emily Bates recreated the Venus de Milo out of snow in her back garden in Leeds.
Emily, who was 17 at the time, sculpted the frozen goddess in her garden when her school had an inset day.
Her mum, Sue Bates, said she was "completely shocked" when she looked out her window to see her daughter putting the final touches to the replica.
'I took up competitive weightlifting age 64'
A novice weightlifter from York won a silver medal in her first national competition at the age of 64 in February.
Jackie Mathers, a university chief academic officer, had taken up the sport just five months earlier, after being inspired by the exploits of her son, Ben Gibson - a British champion.
After finishing second in the women's 60-69 84kg category at the British Classic Bench Press Championships, she said: "It was really scary, but amazing that you can - within 12 weeks - go through a process and actually win a medal."
Olympian surprises parkrun stalwart
Jonathan Reed/BBCIn March, parkrun stalwart Tony Kingham received a surprise on his 500th race with a visit from one of his ex-pupils – Olympic gold medal-winning triathlete Alistair Brownlee.
Tony has volunteered at Bradford's Lister Park parkrun for 500 races, encouraging runners from the same spot nicknamed "Tony's Corner".
Paying tribute to his dedication, Brownlee - who was taught modern languages at Bradford Grammar School by Tony - said: "It's so important to have someone like Tony inspiring young people, and now more than ever."
'I built a tiny castle for mice in my garden'
In a North Yorkshire garden in May, a castle fit for a mouse was set up by Christie Barnes.
She became fascinated with the creatures in her garden during the coronavirus lockdowns and started leaving out nuts to attract mice and voles.
Her interest "snowballed" from there and she crafted the lavishly decorated castle and adjoining dollhouse for the creatures.
Christie draped the miniature kingdom in New Earswick in colourful flags and furnished it with a chandelier, velour chair and battery-powered fireplace.
Band make 'surreal' Glastonbury debut
Lewis BuddenA band from Sheffield made their Glastonbury debut in June after releasing their first album earlier this year.
Air Drawn Dagger were given the opportunity to play at the music festival through its Emerging Talent competition, which is held every year to give artists from all genres the chance to play live.
The band was among the eight finalists for the 2025 competition, which was won by Westside Cowboy.
'I must've married half of North Yorkshire'
Josie BellIn July, Alicia Butcher retired after 48 years as a registrar, having officiated thousands of weddings.
"Someone joked that I must have married half of North Yorkshire by now," she said.
From unusual ringbearers to sobbing grooms and chatty children, the 82-year-old from Northallerton had plenty of stories from the significant role she had played in many people's special day.
Hull shop making people laugh for a century
Dinsdale's Famous Joke & Trick Shop in Hepworth Arcade in Hull has been selling costumes and jokes since 1930.
In August, manager Graham Williams spoke to the BBC about how his grandad founded the store, which started by selling records.
He said over the years the shop had been visited by celebrities including Derren Brown, Tommy Cooper and Andy Nyman.
Boy, 10, bags spot in famous choir
Helen Tabor PhotographyA 10-year-old boy from Ripon became the only child from the north of England to join the world famous choir of Westminster Abbey in September.
Henry Burr's mother, Gemma Ryder-Burr, said she had decided to send a video of him singing to the abbey's Master of Choristers "on an impulse" and he was so impressed Henry was immediately invited to audition.
Andrew Nethsingha, organist and Master of the Choristers, said as well as the audition, Henry gave an "excellent" interview with the headteacher of the boarding school attached to the abbey.
Grandad grows 'whopper' first pumpkin
BBC/Natalie BellA grandfather spoke of his surprise after the first pumpkin he had ever grown turned out to be "a right whopper" in October.
Fred Ramsey, from Snaith, said he put a pumpkin seed in his compost, did not water or feed it and "it just grew from there".
The 91-year-old said he would give the fulsome fruit to his grandson, Matthew, who joked he would have to carve it using a saw.
Sheffield strongwoman wins awards
In November, one of Yorkshire's strongest women competed in the world finals of the Official Strongman Games in Texas.
Laura Hollywood, from Sheffield, came sixth in the event after she was named Official Strongman European Champion in August when she won gold in the under 73kg (11st 7lb) category in York.
Hollywood, who has been competing for just three years, said she was "really excited" to take on the challenge as it was her first competition on the world stage.
'It was the toughest but best week'
Finally, Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield topped off the year with his latest charity fundraising challenge in December, completing seven ultramarathons in seven days.
The ex-rugby league star described it as "the toughest but the best week" after he ran 300km (185 miles) to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in memory of teammate Rob Burrow.
Starting at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club and ending at Headingley Stadium, the 45-year-old said he could not have asked for more support along the way.
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