Being born and bred in Yorkshire, there is no such thing as a long "A" it is always pronounced "short" as in 'addock (a battered fish), 'alibut (a fish which isn't usually battered) 'alifax (a nearby town), which can be contrasted with the short U as in 'ull (where Les comes from)
I hope that you are now enlightened!
Quack!
Geoff the Duck