Strictly, storms and lollipops: Yorkshire stories to make you smile

Across Yorkshire there are people doing amazing things every day of the week, and we want to highlight them.

This week saw a Strictly Come Dancing fan from York share her Down’s Syndrome story, a couple overcome Storm Amy on their wedding day and a lollipop lady celebrate her 50th year in the role.

Take a look below and enjoy some positive news stories from across BBC Yorkshire.

Strictly Come Dancing fan Alicia Harrison, who has Down’s Syndrome, said it was an “honour” to see the condition represented on the show.

She added the way Ellie Goldstein danced the Waltz “was so graceful, and she should be so proud”.

When Storm Amy hit the Yorkshire Dales earlier this month, one couple had no idea how it would affect their wedding weekend.

High winds and heavy rain threatened their plans when the rivers surrounding the venue flooded, blocking roads and stranding guests.

But the conditions did not dull their spirits as locals pulled together to organise a convoy of 4x4s to rescue the attendees.

Read more here

Jackie Higginbottom, an 81-year-old lollipop lady, has celebrated 50 years in the role.

Jackie, whose first shift as the crossing patrol warden at Royd Nursery Infant School in Sheffield in 1975, said she loved “everything” about her job.

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A group of knitters from Ripon made a dress entirely of woollen poppies to mark Remembrance Week.

The dress took Ripon Community Poppy Project volunteers at least 1,000 hours to knit.

The women have knitted several creations over the years, including a life-sized tank for D-Day commemorations.

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An East Yorkshire RSPB reserve celebrated a record-breaking breeding season for little terns, one of the UK’s rarest seabirds.

The birds migrate each spring from their wintering grounds in West Africa to nest on Yorkshire’s shores.

According to the RSPB, 105 pairs were recorded at Beacon Lagoons, up from 59 in 2024.

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