1st August is officially Yorkshire Day where we celebrate all that is wonderful about our beautiful county and the talented people who live here. We take this opportunity to honour the work of many who have helped put Yorkshire on the cultural map.
Here at the Learning Resource Centre we are home to many pieces of amazing literature, music and film which have been written by, starred in and sung/played by talented Yorkshire men and women.
Some of the most famous of these Literary marvels are the Bronte Sisters. Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte lived in Haworth and often explored the surrounding moorlands right outside their door for inspiration and escapism. For Emily this was to be a major influence on her writing as the setting for her most famous novel ‘Wuthering Heights’ was in fact on Yorkshire moors. Her striking tale of passion, love, hatred and anger set against this welcoming yet unforgiving landscape gave Emily no end of inspiration and is still a much loved piece to this day (Just ask our Library staff!). There have been many adaptations of the Bronte’s work through TV series, songs, plays and films showing everyone around the world just what these remarkable Yorkshire women are capable of!
Ted Hughes was a poet hailing from Yorkshire who is also another huge name in the literary world. We stock plenty of his work in the LRC’s and they are available for anyone to borrow! Ted Hughes was immensely influenced by the remarkable Yorkshire landscape and wildlife which he encountered in his youth. A truly fantastic writer whose work will never go overlooked and who has made such a massive impact on modern day poets and will continue to do so for years to come.
We’re flying the Yorkshire flag at the LRC at University Centre, High Melton!
There is so much more to say about the awe-inspiring talents of Yorkshire which we haven’t even touched on here! This county is bursting with amazing musicians, actors and athletes as well as the skills of the unsung heroes we encounter everyday.
Our Yorkshire hero is none other than the fabulous Emily Bronte for her contribution to Literature and all the ways she has inspired us throughout our lives and for the generations that she will inspire in the future.
Tell us about your Yorkshire hero and what makes them special in your eyes.
“May the Fourth Be With You” Haul and Update. You Tube image. (Brickamigos, 2014)
For some of us, Star Wars day is everyday, but May the 4th is the time when we can all come together as fans of this amazing story brought to us from a galaxy far far away in 1977. This year we’ve created something a little different to share with you all, an interview with the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, or to be more specific his ‘Force spirit’.
We wondered what it would be like to chat with the Jedi genius himself as he’s such a great mentor to some of the most powerful Jedi we’ve come to know and love.
Keep reading below for the interview and May the Force be with you!
Is This The Mentor You’ve Been Looking For?
Оби Ван Кеноби( распаковка LEGO) 1 часть. You Tube image.(Glider и Taiger, 2015)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (or Ben Kenobi*) was a Jedi Master from the Star Wars Universe, originally from the planet Stewjon, he developed into the legacy that is Obi-Wan Kenobi after becoming the Padawan** of Qui-Gon Jinn and rising in the Jedi ranks. He later became the mentor for both Anakin and Luke Skywalker, only to die at the hands of Darth Vader after sacrificing his life so that Luke Skywalker could escape. As a Jedi, he is able to use the Force to fabricate his spirit to where he is needed. He has previously done this to offer guidance and Jedi training to Luke Skywalker and more recently to help Rey begin her quest to figure out her true identity. We have him here today to talk about his mentoring, amazing patience and what he thinks are the most important traits for any Jedi apprentice.
Interviewer: I’m so glad you could join us today, Mr Kenobi.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Please, call me Obi-Wan.
Interviewer: OK then, Obi-Wan. Do you not prefer Ben?
Obi-Wan Kenobi:Obi-Wan is fine.
Interviewer: Sure thing. We’re just so happy that you could join us all the way from the spirit realm. All those years respecting the light side of the Force really paid off, right?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Like every job, it has it’s perks. As well as its downsides.
Interviewer: Yeah, that was a very brave decision you made, giving your life up to Darth Vader. I’m sure Luke and the gang are forever grateful.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: I know they are. It was the right thing to do.
Interviewer: Well, that’s exactly why we’re here today, to celebrate you as a great Jedi Master and Mentor. You’ve taught some of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, you possess a great skill as a fighter as well as a very patient and wise teacher. The Force is definitely strong with this one, ey? *laughs*
Obi-Wan Kenobi: *clears throat*
Interviewer: Tell us, how do you manage to stay so calm when you’re faced with such peril?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Well, the force provides me with a lot of inner strength and I keep-I mean I used to keep my body in shape for all of the physical fighting. Good diet, plenty of exercise, lightsaber training, you know, the usual routine. It’s all in the preparation. My mentor taught me well and I can only hope that I have provided my Padawans with just as valuable guidance as Qui-Gon Jinn gave me.
I maybe taught someone a little too well, if you get my meaning. *chuckles to self*
Interviewer: You weren’t to know, Anakin could have done a lot of good with his power.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Yep, such a shame.
Interviewer: Qui-Gon Jinn, amazing Jedi. You’re very lucky to have been taught by him.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Great guy, yeah.
Interviewer: What about Yoda? He was also a big influence on you, wasn’t he? Did you learn any inner strength under his guidance?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Yeah, I mean, of course. Yoda is just so zen and at one with the force. He’s always very calm and ready to listen.
Interviewer: Do you have any words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers that has been passed down to you?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: I was taught that focus is really important. You need to visualise your goals and have a clear objective to aim for. Take your time and make sure that the decision you’ve made is the right one. Being a Jedi isn’t just about the Force or being born with the talent. Hard work and determination is what makes you succeed. You don’t become great overnight and although the path of the light can be difficult sometimes, you need to remember what you’re aiming for, that will make the end result even the sweeter.
Interviewer: That’s really great advice, thanks Obi-Wan. One last question, what do you think of the latest Jedi recruit, Rey?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Watch this space.
Interviewer: We’d like to thank you for giving us some of your precious time.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: No problem, anytime.
I think we can all take something away from this interview and know that even Jedi have it tough sometimes. Perseverance and focus are key to success and we sometimes need to be reminded that success doesn’t happen overnight. We leave you with this quote from the Jedi Master himself:
“In my experience, there’s no such thing as luck”
(Obi-Wan Kenobi – Episode IV – A New Hope)
*Obi-Wan Kenobi was known as Ben Kenobi whilst in exile on Tatooine. This was after he left Anakin Skywalker for dead, only for him to be rehabilitated as Darth Vader. During his time in exile, Obi-Wan Kenobi looked out for Luke Skywalker.
**Padawan- Jedi apprentice, is someone who possess the ability to become a Jedi Knight because of their sensitivity to the Force but is currently in training with a Jedi Knight or Master.
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