A small team, with a BIG heart - by Harriet Boatwright

“Write a blog” Matt said………

I have always considered myself a bit of a laggard really when it comes to new fads and crazes especially in the world of technology - almost through blind stubbornness rather than fear of the new and unknown or inflexibility of self.  However, when Matt ‘encouraged me’ (take this as you will!) to get on board with our blog I was surprised by the cathartic nature of the exercise.  Although I did wonder at first ‘what do I have to say….’ As it turns out, you can say what you want – within the realms of decency and interest!

I would like to share with you a piece of writing, authored by someone I often liken to Marvin from ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’, but on a good day I refer to him as my very own Dad:

“If tha’s Northern, tha talks a lot like this and tha philosophy goes summat like this, ‘If ever tha does owt for nowt , do it for thasen’.  Tha wears a flat cap and ‘as a whippet  wi’ no name. Tha smokes wafer thin rollups through nicotine stained ‘ands and tha drinks warm beer wi’ an ‘ead on it. Tha’s got our lass indoors boilin’ up t’tripe and onions and watchin’ o’er t’twelve bairns. To thee t’internet is summat  tha does wi’t fish owtat canal and t’world wide web is summat t’spider leaves ower t’door o’ t’outside lavvy o’erneet.”

Anyone familiar with this idea? Bloomin funny if you ask me but it does act as a vehicle for a more heartfelt message – the meaning of being a Northerner, and a proud one at that!

“If you’re Northern you have pride, not the sort that comes before a fall, but pride that enables you to see through the paucity of understanding and the insularity of those who would perpetuate the myth of the Neanderthal Northerner. A pride that enables and encourages you to embrace and celebrate family and friends.  A pride that shines through your life and the lives of those around you. A pride that grows and flourishes as your family grows and flourishes. A pride that gives understanding that small deeds in life can make for large changes and that we all of us make a difference somewhere, sometime.”

Arthur Sargeant (Son of a Northern Lass and an Essex Lad)

Pride is something so fundamental to the Northern way of life, and here at MeetInLeeds I like to think of our team as a mere microcosm of the northern heart. Some may still think that we ‘talk a bit funny’ but you know what – variety is the spice of life!