'My Yorkshire Weekend' in August's edition of Yorkshire Life Magazine
To coincide with our 30th Anniversary this year, Yorkshire Life magazine recently interviewed our company founder Andrew Beadnall. Interestingly Andrew is also Chair of Trustees for The Hunslet Club in Leeds, one of the country’s largest youth organisations and is very passionate about their important work helping the local community there now and in the future.
MY YORKSHIRE WEEKEND
How do I spend my days
It is 30 years since I launched Beadnall Copley and my days remain as “full on” now as in 1991. With more offices and a much larger team today there are many more responsibilities for a business owner, but my working days are very much as when I entered the profession in 1973, offering a highly personal, results-driven estate & lettings agency.
My days begin early in the gym which sets me up for the day ahead. The last 30 years have flown by and fortunately I remain fully hands-on running Beadnall Copley helped of course by a terrific, totally committed team. No two days are ever the same with different properties and owners to see and speak to. My role as Chair of The Hunslet Club charity also takes up part of my days, be it responding to emails, meeting the Club’s CEO, Trustee meetings and visiting the Club’s youth club evening provisions and weekend activities. A real adrenaline boost seeing our amazing members and staff taking part in as many as 98 individual sessions each week. Truly “my happy place”.
Friday nights’ out, cocktails or chill?
As a Leeds Rhinos fan my Friday nights during the rugby league season are spent at the Emerald Headingley Stadium watching my team from the Club’s amazing corporate facilities. Rugby league at the Rhinos is certainly the very best the game can offer in terms of hospitality with superb silver service dining making it a terrific night out with friends.
Saturday morning, parkrun or papers?
As Chair of The Hunslet Club, I follow our amateur open age rugby league team, Hunslet Club Parkside throughout the season both home and away. In 2018 they became the first team in the history of the amateur game to complete a season undefeated winning all their games in the top flight NCL Premier Division. If we are playing in Cumbria it is an early 8.00am start but if we have a home fixture in Hunslet, a free Saturday morning gives me the opportunity to read the morning papers and get out on my bike. As my business is open throughout Saturday there are always calls to make and questions to answer.
Feeding time
As a massive foodie I can fortunately eat anything that is put before me, fish ‘n chips, Indian, Mexican, Italian and Chinese. From good quality pub food to high end Michelin cuisine. I was brought up to eat whatever was put before me and being a true Yorkshireman I hate waste - especially on a plate. We are so lucky to have so many great food outlets close by especially Zucco, Meanwood and Lupe’s Cantina Mexicana, Leeds.
Retail therapy
Working full-time in an office environment necessitates my wearing suit, shirt and tie throughout the week. Many years ago I would be quite extravagant with my wardrobe but I now realise what a waste of money that was. Zara and Massimo Dutti are my ‘go to’ favourites these days for business suits and casual wear. There is no wonder these are such phenomenal high street successes. Incredible good value, quality and the very latest styles. I find it amusing that people compliment me thinking it’s from some couture designer when in fact I have paid a fraction of what they think I’ve spent.
Saturday night perfection
We love seeing our friends on Saturday nights and still after more than 40 years the Flying Pizza, Roundhay remains a great night out. Recently since lockdown restrictions have been eased allowing us to meet outdoors, we’ve enjoyed some fantastic outdoor heated dining at Cromwells in Collingham. We are spoiled for choice in our area and for relaxed nights out we will meet friends at Bengal Brasserie, Wetherby or during al fresco lockdown regulations, we would sit round a fire-pit enjoying a takeaway and drinks.
Sunday relaxation
Our son lives in London and we try and get down to see him as often as our schedules allow. That will mean a 9.00am York to Kings Cross train and lunch at some of the wonderful restaurants in the capital. Claude Bosi at Bibendum Restaurant and Elystan Street being favourites. If we are at home we will have a great traditional Sunday lunch in our village at The Fox & Hounds, Walton. During full lockdown this was a life-saver. Cycling is a great hobby and during the morning I will cycle for miles through the picturesque villages and many cycle path in the Wetherby/York area. Reading the Sunday newspapers is a definite favourite as is walking from our home to Wetherby or Boston Spa always clocking up a minimum 10K.
Hopes for the year ahead
Like everyone else I am hoping for a full release from lockdown restrictions enabling us to get back to living our lives as we did pre-pandemic. The last 18 months have been especially challenging for school children and students and of course care home residents and their families. I wish for happier and healthier times for all of them. The Hunslet Club are embarking on a major fund-raising exercise enabling us to relocate to a new world class youth centre for our members in South Leeds and I hope some readers of this feature may well wish to help us raise funds for this new development.
This article appeared in the August edition of Yorkshire Life Magazine.