I moved to Sheffield almost four years ago. At the time, it was out of necessity, as I could hardly complete a journalism course from the comfort of my bedroom in Tadley. I am Basingstoke, born and bred, and despite my poor Scottish parent’s wishes, I sound like I skipped right out of Hampshire too.

For 21 years, I was privy to many of the stereotypes that cling to ‘The Southerners’ including the reserved, unfriendly people and expensive pints sold in chains upon chains of Wetherspoons. Surface level differences include the taste of the water, the quality of gravy, and the affinity for Béres, all of which is lost on us Southerners.

Don’t be fooled, there are lots of things I love about home of course, namely my family, my close group of friends and some of the architecture. Yet, having lived in the North for the better part of four years, I can tell you that it’s definitely warmer up here than southern people think.

Firstly, it goes without saying that the people are kinder, or at the very least more talkative. It’s a nice feeling knowing that brushing shoulders with a stranger accidentally, is not akin to killing a small child.........

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