From the church to cricket - why supporting The Yorkshire Post is important to our county

But don't just take his word for it.Here are what a few of Yorkshire's most famous faces and brands - as well as local businesspeople, politicians and long-time readers - have to say about what we do.

Yorkshire Tea

“The perfect accompaniment to a proper brew is a proper biscuit, closely followed by a proper newspaper. We’ve been buying and reading The Yorkshire Post for decades and count ourselves lucky to have a regional newspaper driven by its values and dedicated to its readers.

“We’ve worked on some wacky things together over the years – from journeying to America in our trusty ‘Little Urn’ meeting Yorkshire expats craving a taste of home to visiting the tea producing nation of Rwanda to report on the growth in popularity of our beloved sport of cricket out there. The team’s passion, dedication and journalistic integrity are second to none.”

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell

“As I get to know the people and places across Yorkshire, what I am discovering anew is a great hunger for genuine localism that allows communities to make decisions about the huge challenges we face.

"The Yorkshire Post is at the heart of setting out what matters most to the people living and working across this diverse and resourceful county, working to champion the needs of all those who call it their home and speaking out for those who feel they have no voice.

"As I wrote in the Post back in July, my hope is for a Yorkshire where everyone has a place, where no one is discarded or put down and where we work on a big canvas of inclusion, welcome, hospitality and diversity. Working together, acknowledging our differences but with a common goal for the good of all, means we can begin to make this a reality.”

Mark Arthur, chief executive, Yorkshire County Cricket Club

"The Yorkshire Post's coverage of cricket in the county is phenomenal, having long been a supporter of cricket at all levels – from the recreational game through to the Test match arena.

"Their dedicated cricket correspondent, Chris Waters, is one of the best cricket journalists in the world and his columns are not to be missed by any avid Yorkshire cricket supporter.

"The club work closely with The Yorkshire Post to coordinate important releases, meaning their readers are often amongst the first to hear of breaking news. Whilst our membership engages with the club across a range of platforms, I know they appreciate the independent views of Chris and everyone else at The Yorkshire Post.

"We are excited to continue working with them over the coming years when hopefully we can see yet more success on and off the field for the county."

Gary Hetherington, chief executive, Leeds Rhinos

"Yorkshire folk like me have so many wonderful assets of our county to be proud of and The Yorkshire Post is one of them!

"In an age where community life is fast eroding, The Yorkshire Post is in itself a force for good in all our communities. It reminds us daily of the essence of “Yorkshireness” and at the same time informs us about the national and global issues.

"And we are a sports loving County with a unique interest in every team, sportsman and woman who represents our County. All are covered in The Yorkshire Post by journalists who know their stuff and report it in an even-handed, unbiased and straightforward style, just as we like it.

"The Yorkshire Post is a national treasure and a legacy for all self-respected Yorkshire folk is to ensure its ‘here for our next generation’."

Barbara Taylor Bradford, novelist

"I grew up with The Yorkshire Post and have been a reader all my life. What do I like about the Yorkshire Post? Lots. It always has a great mix of news, business, lifestyle, food and drink and its weekend magazine is always an interesting and engaging read, highlighting the best Yorkshire has to offer.

"I think it’s important we support our regional newspapers whenever we can as they are often at the frontline of important, breaking news which then becomes national news."

Andrew Pern, chef

"The Yorkshire Post is as much a part of the county as Puddings, Parkin and Tea! A proper local that is a national favourite,which has encouraged and made many local eateries and drinking houses over the years. Cheers and thank you to a true star performer."

Professor Selina Wray, a specialist in dementia research at University College London

"Even though I don't live in Yorkshire at the moment, The Yorkshire Post gives me a way to keep up with the news in the region. It also provides some of the best reporting on national issues, and it has never been more important than in the time of Covid and Brexit to have these insights.

"We can't expect to have this high level of scrutiny and journalistic integrity for free - journalists need to earn a living! I wouldn't buy a newspaper every day, but the online subscription provides me with an easy way to support The Yorkshire Post, ensuring they can continue to conduct high quality journalism in a free and impartial way."

Keith Madeley, businessman known as 'Mr Yorkshire'

"The Yorkshire Post is I consider the main regional newspaper in the country. It is also from my point of view as good as any national paper. Great coverage of all sectors of life in our county and beyond. The business pages are second to none.

"I decided I must become a subscriber to help ensure the future of this Yorkshire icon and encourage anyone remotely interested in Yorkshire to likewise come on board."

Alistair Brownlee, double Olympic triathlon champion

"Yorkshire folk are not known for their love of paying for things. But, we are definitely known for our love of straightforward, blunt opinions.

"I think, in the world we live in today our news is often sensationalised and polarised into over-simplified bite-sized snippets.

"A quality news source of well-balanced opinions that is produced with integrity is something worth paying for. Especially, since it is Yorkshire’s news source."

Anita Bowerman, artist and gallery owner

"I love reading The Yorkshire Post. It is a newspaper which is very professionally put together with a collection of superb journalists and photographers covering stories and writing features about the essence of Yorkshire for Yorkshire people.

"I can’t wait to get my newspaper delivered by our milkman on a Saturday morning and pull out the magazine section. I love the magazine, I take it to bed with me and read all the articles so skillfully written.

"I am interested in all things creative, so I particularly love discovering what is new on the retail scene, interior design and reading articles and seeing work from my fellow artists in Yorkshire.

"The Country Week section also inspires me and I love reading articles about our countryside and nature with features on farming life. I have subscribed to The Yorkshire Post online and we receive the paper on Saturday and would ask everyone who loves Yorkshire to do the same so that the paper can continue to flourish and bring a sparkle to our lives."

Keith Tordoff MBE, former police officer and owner of Oldest Sweet Shop In The World

“Your regional champion needs you! The Yorkshire Post newspaper has been the voice and champion for the communities of this great county with 'news that you can trust since 1754'.

"In a rapidly changing world the Yorkshire Post has remained a trusted reliable constant. Proud, passionate editors, journalists and staff who report on international, national and local news. The journalists are working tirelessly on behalf of the people of Yorkshire and beyond.

"News, business, lifestyle, cartoons, it brings it all to you and for only a few pounds each week. In what are difficult times for all businesses including the Yorkshire Post please support a national treasure and protect part of our heritage for future generations.

"Proper journalism has never been more needed than at this time of great uncertainty and the custodians of this great newspaper need all of our support to deliver it."

Henri Murison, Northern Powerhouse Partnership director

"The Yorkshire Post is and has always been the national paper for the 15m people of the North. Far more than any other UK newspaper, they understand and unreservedly back the Northern Powerhouse ambition of a highly-connected, productive Yorkshire and wider North, creating better lives for the communities and businesses of Yorkshire and beyond.

"Whether it is holding the Transport Secretary to account on the dismal state of East-West train services, standing up for disadvantaged children who have been left behind their better-off peers or explaining the benefits of devolution deals to their readers, the Yorkshire Post’s dedicated and talented editorial staff nail the issues of the day in a compelling, comprehensible way.

"Their digital offering is vast and varied, but carries the same message of unashamedly campaigning for Yorkshire and the North. If the Northern Powerhouse vision is ever truly realised, and we live in a balanced, fair country where a child’s prospects are the same whether they live in Kirklees or Kensington, the Yorkshire Post will have played a huge part in that success."

Paul Robinson, artistic director at the Stephen Joseph Theatre

"In these confusing days of ‘fake news’ and misinformation, it’s more important than ever to have access to an unbiased and reliable source of news, views and, of course, entertaining features.

"For me, The Yorkshire Post fits that bill perfectly, keeping me up to speed on what’s happening around the region, especially in the arts - I look forward particularly to Friday’s Culture section each week. Long may it continue!"

David Kerfoot, chairman of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership

“The Yorkshire Post has excelled this year in its campaigning journalism and is a key advocate for the region. It is an iconic newspaper reflecting all that is good about putting across the important issues for Yorkshire and making strong commentary about what really matters and affects our communities.”

Dorothy Fairburn, CLA Director North

“The Yorkshire Post and its highly respected journalists provide a healthy and objective spread of news and opinions which is why it is held in such high regard across the political spectrum. This explains its influence and reach far beyond Yorkshire, and why its editor and journalists are often used as pundits by national media outlets.

“Of particular interest to the CLA and our partner organisations is the way in which the paper consistently highlights issues of importance to people who live and work in rural areas, and thus, increasing the public’s understanding of farming and the rural economy. Such coverage is not only limited regular slot on Wednesdays and the brilliant Country Week supplement on Saturdays, but throughout the week, and very often on the front page.

“The paper regularly celebrates Yorkshire’s countryside, and one only has to think about the excellent coverage it provides of the Great Yorkshire Show. We value and will continue to support the Yorkshire Post as a key partner in campaigning on behalf of our membership and our extended rural family across Yorkshire.”

Alex Goldstein, property consultant

"The Yorkshire Post has the best media coverage both within and beyond Yorkshire. Not only can I run decent size adverts, but I also get the best response from them being featured. It has a brilliant property section run by Sharon Dale with comprehensive cover and relevant advice pieces along with property news.

"Overall, The Yorkshire Post gives different and interesting angles on stories, without just following the crowd. It provides great opportunities for companies and is the best platform I use to promote the property consultancy I run. I wouldn’t be without my copy, especially with the value you get on a Saturday. It is part of Yorkshire through and through."

Anita Morris, managing director of Anita Morris Associates, PR firm

"I have bought The Yorkshire Post most days since I moved from the red to the white rose county about 30 years ago and it’s been a big part of my education.

"Many is the time I disagree with the views expressed in the paper and that’s the point. The quality of journalism and the commitment to getting under the skin of the people and the issues in the county, revealing them simply, effectively and with authority is what keeps my custom.

"It’s not easy to trust the media we consume but I trust The Yorkshire Post and that’s because I’ve dealt with dozens of their challenging, smart journalists over the years.

"Any media title that can convene the whole of the northern regional press to shake up and wake up Westminster, as The Yorkshire Post did with the influential Power up the North campaign, is worth supporting. As is one that backs its journalists to reveal the widespread issue of loneliness in our region. And one that doesn’t need asking to make room for culture – despite huge commercial pressures it creates a Culture supplement that champions artists and their value in society."

Graham Ibbeson, sculptor

"As a student in London in the mid 1970s I stood on the concourse of St Pancras awaiting a train bringing my grandmother and mother down to the capital. I grabbed a copy of The YP from the news kiosk, basically to kill time, and have been hooked ever since.

"The YP is very much part of the fabric of Yorkshire, yes it champions and celebrates the county (and why shouldn’t it), however, it is also the incisive and indeed international voice of the county. To me, it mirrors the character of its residents with its straight talking and forthrightness. When I stood at St Pancras 45 years ago, these are the qualities that bound me for life to The Yorkshire Post."

Claire Strachan, marketing, PR & fundraising consultant

"I have worked with and read the Yorkshire Post for over 20 years – it isn’t just a newspaper it is a part of living in Yorkshire. It provides unbiased, current and diverse stories from across the region and beyond. It also supports the community and challenges key and unjust issues like the loan charge, and genuinely makes a difference to people’s lives.

"It was one of the first things I ensured was still being delivered to my home during lockdown, and I will continue my subscription to keep it going and ensure we don’t lose it. There simply isn’t anything else that could take its place. At a time when we are losing regional radio and other media, it is imperative we support our regional press."

Charlotte Dimond, director at Yorkshire based Sidekick PR, associate lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University and trustee of children’s literary charity Grimm and Co

“We are extremely lucky to have the Yorkshire Post as our regional newspaper. The team deliver a great mix of both regional and national stories, champion causes that make a real difference to people’s lives in the county and vigorously investigate issues that need highlighting.

“Having a source of trustworthy news is more important than ever in these times of misinformation and disinformation. We need to protect this regional asset and ensure that the Yorkshire Post team can continue to deliver news that we can trust for many years to come.”

Rita Britton, owner and creative director of Barnsley-based fashion label Nomad Atelier

"The Yorkshire Post recognises that the celebration of regional specialties can really get this country moving again and clothing manufacture can spearhead economic revival for both Yorkshire and the UK.

"It’s taken Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne quite a long time to establish their position as world-class producers. Let’s hope that we can do it a little more quickly here. There’s no more reliable medium than the trusted word of The Yorkshire Post to bring the prosperity we deserve."