Monthly Archives: December 2017
The Northern Soul End of Year Quiz: 2017
Feeling a little sluggish after too much time in front of the telly box or one too many mince pies? Have no fear. The Northern Soul End of Year Quiz is back and ready to get the cogs turning again. Is your Northern knowledge is up to scratch? How much can you recall about 2017? No prizes, just a lovely feeling of smugness when you get them all right (answers are at the bottom…).
Read the full story..Detectorists: small-scale, low-key and utterly perfect
In a year when pure joy has generally been in short supply, the third series of the BBC sitcom Detectorists has been a cultural highlight.
Read the full story..GinnelWatch: Northern Soul’s Best Ginnels of 2017
We love a good ginnel at Northern Soul. But, depending on where you’re from, there are all sorts of words for what essentially amounts to an alleyway, including jennel, snicket, vennel, gennel, jitty and jetty.
Read the full story..Our Year in Pictures: Northern Soul’s Favourite Photos of 2017
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s hard to believe that the end of the year is fast approaching.
Read the full story..Northern Soul’s Best Reads of 2017
Despite our hopes that 2017 would be a marked improvement on the turbulent 2016, this year came with more bumps, twists and turns than the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. But, as usual, it was an excellent year for bookworms and the good reads kept on coming.
Read the full story..Fancy a festive show? Look no further than our Christmas theatre round-up
It’s been a busy – and chilly – December at Northern Soul Towers. In the name of Christmas, our writers have travelled across the North of England to review the best of yuletide theatre.
Read the full story..Northern Brass Bands and Christmas Carols: a Victorian tradition in the 21st century
As Christmas approaches, the streets are alive with the sound of brass bands playing carols.
Read the full story..Film Review: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Just two Christmasses ago, the prospect of a new Star Wars film felt like a gob-smacking novelty.
Read the full story..Review: John Bramwell, Royal Northern College of Music
At this time of year, there are some traditions that I can take or leave.
Read the full story..The Northern Soul Christmas Poem: Snow Day
It’s nearly Christmas…and to celebrate Northern Soul‘s Poetry Correspondent Wendy Pratt has written another stunning poem in response to our North Yorkshire Photographer’s Snow Day image.
Read the full story..Editor's Picks
Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities
Is your organisation interested in supporting quality journalism about culture, life and enterprise in the North of England?
For advertising and sponsorship opportunities contact Northern Soul’s Founder and Editor Helen Hugent at helennugent@northernsoul.me.uk.
Sign up for Northern Soul newsletter
The Northern Soul Poll

Recent Tweets for @Northern_Soul_
Competition time! Win a weekend pass for Awaken, an online celebration of music for spring at York’s National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) @yorkearlymusic #giveaway #Competition northernsoul.me.uk/competitio… pic.twitter.com/HrDrRbAqy3
“We wanted to create something positive.” Northern Soul's @EmmaYatesBadley chats to Manchester Fashion Movement, a collective looking to enable communities in Greater Manchester to better understand the impact of the fashion industry. #fashion northernsoul.me.uk/we-wanted-… pic.twitter.com/jzSz1gBkNs
Song to start the week: Apply Some Pressure by Maximo Park. @maximopark youtube.com/watch?v=-Ue193…
This is an excellent initiative from @NewWritingNorth with @DailyMirror @NewStatesman @jrf_uk and NWN's literature partners across the UK. Writing Chance is a new opportunity, open to new and aspiring storytellers from under-represented backgrounds. twitter.com/NewWritingNort…
Looking towards Scout Moor. (By Rachael) pic.twitter.com/UTgTOlhwJz