What's your first memory of being outdoors?

Being on a pony at our smallholding in Scarcroft aged five. It's my first memory
of rural life, too.



What's your favourite part of the county and why?

Other than the Great Yorkshire Showground, the Whitby and Sandsend area, particularly out of season. The seascape is such a contrast to home.



What's your idea of a perfect weekend/day out in Yorkshire?

Going to a contemporary art fair in Harrogate, having a leisurely lunch, and then a walk round a National Trust property such as Fountains Abbey.



Do you have a favourite walk or view?

A favourite walk would be along the East Yorkshire coastline around Whitby where, depending on the weather, it can either be utterly peaceful or dramatically wild.



Which Yorkshire sportsman/woman (past or present) would you like to take for lunch?

Jason Robinson has been a huge success in both rugby league and rugby union. He has kept his feet on the ground and is totally genuine. He would be great company.



Which Yorkshire stage or screen star (past or present) would you like to take for lunch?

Alan Bennett. It would make for a most entertaining and amusing lunch. His observational writing is quite superb and very Yorkshire.



If you had to name your Yorkshire hidden gem, what would it be?

The National Trust's Rievaulx Temples, which are super gardens overlooking Rievaulx Abbey.



What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

It's said that in Yorkshire we have 10 per cent of every kind of farming, so the diversity of its landscape, plus the straightforward honest approach of Yorkshire people.



Do you follow sport in the county, and if so what?

I most certainly do. I'm very keen on rugby league in particular and also
enjoy a day at the races. My grandfather was on the board of Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Club so I grew up with an interest in Leeds rugby, but I enjoy watching all sport.

What about Yorkshire's cultural life?

We're very lucky to have so much to choose from across Yorkshire – from Opera North to the art galleries to the wonderful theatres. The re-opening this year of The Royal Hall in Harrogate is certainly a major milestone in the Yorkshire cultural calendar.



Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

I have two. The White Horse & Griffin in Whitby and The Clocktower Restaurant
at Rudding Park Hotel near Harrogate. Both have imaginative menus and
are committed to using local and
regional food.



Do you have a favourite food shop?

George Middlemiss and Sons who are butchers in Otley. Their meat, pies and sausages are superb which probably explains why they've won many national awards.



How do you think Yorkshire has changed in the time you've known it?

The biggest change I've noticed has been in the city of Leeds. It has grown and developed into one of the UK's most vibrant cities and is rightly acclaimed
as one of the top commercial centres
in Britain.



Are those changes for the better?

Definitely.



Who is the Yorkshire man or woman you most admire?

Sir Ken Morrison. He successfully set up and ran a national business without losing his Yorkshire common sense. In
my mind he has been the best supporter of the farming industry within the supermarket sector.



How has Yorkshire influenced your work?

The characteristics of Yorkshire
people – being straightforward,
genuine and friendly – have definitely influenced me as they are characteristics which are important to me. Plus, if I
had been born in Kent or Surrey, it's
very unlikely that I would be farming in Yorkshire or have become the
show director of the Great
Yorkshire Show!



Name your favourite Yorkshire performer

I'm a great fan of jazz music and a huge admirer of the jazz singer Clare Teal who comes from West Yorkshire.



The 150th Great Yorkshire Show is from Tuesday to Thursday, July 8-10, on the 250-acre Great Yorkshire Showground on the edge of
Harrogate.