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My Yorkshire: Alexandra Parker
Alexandra Parker, 20, is a young musician who is carving out a career on the electric violin. She started her professional life as a town-centre busker in her early teens, and lives with her family in Belton, near Doncaster.
What's your favourite Yorkshire memory?
I was only 13, and dad took me out busking for a bit of fun with my old acoustic violin, and a CD player to provide the backing. It was near Christmas, and it was really freezing, so he ran around to a nearby army surplus shop, and cut the tops off some wool gloves. That kept the cold off, but still allowed me to play. He said we ought to try busking when I was about 12, and I thought he was joking – little did I know. I loved it so much that we made it a regular Saturday hobby. It toughened me up as a performer, and gave me confidence – it was also great fun. We'd have fish and chips afterwards.
What's your favourite part of the county – and why?
York. There's everything there. The houses are beautiful, there's still a lovely core to it, there are some great sweet and ice-cream shops, and the Milk Shack, the milkshake shop, is a must. And there are also some talented street entertainers.
What's your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire?
I'd probably go to York with my partner, Tommy, and have lunch on the riverside and maybe do a boat trip. I'd shop for an amazing outfit for our evening meal, have dinner somewhere special, and then have a few drinks later. Day two would be going for a long walk in the city, and ending up in a nice tearoom somewhere. There's a great maze near York, I'm told – haven't been there yet, but I'd love to go.
Do you have a favourite walk or view?
It's just over the border, in Nottinghamshire, but I adore Clumber Park. The fields and woods are beautiful, and my friends and I often take a mini barbecue and a stereo down there in the summer.
Which Yorkshire sportsman, past or present, would you like to take out for lunch?
I'm not really into sport, but I'd really like to meet Prince Naseem Hamed. My cousin used to worship him and was always banging on about him.
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner?
Mr Anthony Fitzgerald, who you'll know better by his stage name of Tony Christie. My dad, Don Parker, used to live around the corner from him in Conisborough, and Tony's Auntie Freda and Uncle Joe used to babysit dad. My grandma was really close friends with Roy Wall, Tony's uncle, and they'd go dancing together. He gave her a gold cross and chain that she later passed on to me, so it is a very special gift. But I'd ask Tony to give me all the gossip about the family – and especially my dad!
If you had to name your Yorkshire "hidden gem", what would it be?
The area around the set of Heartbeat. I love it there… get off the steam train and have a little explore, and there's a tiny track with a waterfall at the end of it, full of fresh water. It's beautiful, and I'm not giving any more away.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?
The vast range of scenery; we have the lot. Mountains, waterfalls, fields, woods, caves and crags. The list is endless.
Do you follow sports in the county?
No, but a friend and I did go to a few of the Doncaster Dons rugby games, and we really loved it. I didn't have a clue what was going on at first. We soon picked it up and we were cheering for Doncaster really loud… and then we discovered that we were in the section occupied by the opposing team's supporters. You've never seen anyone move so fast.
What about Yorkshire's cultural life?
The arts, theatre, music, performance, theatre, they're all thriving. I'm saddened though that Yorkshire's "cultivation" life is dwindling, with so many builders buying good farmland to develop. What happened to all the good farm shops? There are so few left now.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?
I like quiet restaurants and lively pubs. But to be honest, my mum is the best cook of all, and I wish that she owned a restaurant, I'd be there all the time! Besides, it's free at home.
Do you have a favourite food shop?
There's "The Oldest Sweet Shop in England" in Pateley Bridge, and it's been going since 1827, and has every sweetie that you could ever dream of, and ace chocolate as well. They still use the old weighing scales and an old-fashioned till.
How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or worse, in the time that you've known it?
I'm very proud of the Doncaster in Bloom competition, which has really livened up things like the roundabouts around here. And some great shopping centres and places like Xscape in Glasshoughton, near Castleford. But what really ticks me off is all the developments in nice little villages, where the naturalness has been completely spoiled. Belton, where I live, is not the cute place that I remember from being a very little girl. The place is packed with houses.
Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?
Jane MacDonald, who has done so well for herself. A strong woman, with a great sense of humour. That all came from her days in the clubs of the North, with her dad as her roadie. The clubs toughened up Jane to be the lady she is today. I hope that my busking does the same for me. I love her when she's on Loose Women – no nonsense from Jane!
Has Yorkshire influenced your work?
The local people have supported and encouraged me ever since I picked up a violin and started to play. People, really lovely people, came up to me and gave me compliments, and that was (and still is) such a huge confidence boost.
Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer?
I love the Arctic Monkeys. My mum used to listen to Chris Rea when I was a lot younger, so I'm a big fan of his as well.
If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit once place, where would it be?
If they were into active stuff, it would be to Xscape in Castleford – skiing, rock climbing, all those activities. If they wanted to do something a bit different, I'd hire a glider, and fly over the moors and dales, and they could see not one thing, but thousands, all at once.
Alexandra Parker plays at the Barton Arts Festival, today, July 4.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
