Northern Soul

06/10/2026

Still our favourite tips jar - spotted in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

05/10/2026

'Cartland had no time for the scratch of pen on paper or the tap of nails on typewriter keys, choosing rather to dictate her novels while reclining on her favoured sofa, often with a Pekinese as her familiar'

Our Chief Arts Correspondent, Desmond Bullen, enjoys an evening at Ilkley Literature Festival in the company of Matthew Sweet, the biographer of Barbara Cartland, the third most-read author in the English language.

Literature: an evening at Ilkley Literature Festival in the company of Matthew Sweet, the biographer of Barbara Cartland.

05/10/2026

'bliss' - Kallos in Manchester is a special place to eat.

04/10/2026

'Cartland had no time for the scratch of pen on paper or the tap of nails on typewriter keys, choosing rather to dictate her novels while reclining on her favoured sofa, often with a Pekinese as her familiar'

Our Chief Arts Correspondent, Desmond Bullen, enjoys an evening at Ilkley Literature Festival in the company of Matthew Sweet, the biographer of Barbara Cartland, the third most-read author in the English language.

https://www.northernsoul.me.uk/barbara-cartland-matthew-sweet-ilkley/

04/10/2026

The extraordinary art of Eric Tucker, a working-class labourer and self-taught painter from Warrington, only became known after his death. This work is one of our favourites.

04/10/2026

'“Make Egypt great again,” boomed the pharaoh....'

Ellen Beardmore sees Awful Egyptians: The Horrible Histories Live on Stage at Sheffield's Lyceum.

04/10/2026

Spotted in Beverley, Yorkshire.

04/10/2026

Oooh, The Met in Bury always puts on our favourite panto. Proper good fun.

Fee-fi-fo-FUN! Get ready for a GIANT panto adventure with Jack and the Beanstalk.

04/10/2026

'Taste not borders is what counts at Kallos.'

Robert Hamilton visits Kallos in Salford, a new Greek eatery quickly making a name for itself.

https://www.northernsoul.me.uk/kallos-manchester-review/

'bliss' - Kallos in Manchester is a special place to eat.

04/10/2026

Lovely.

I've barely picked up my camera in months but I'm hoping the Autumn colours and shorter days will change all that.