My Yorkshire: Yvette Cooper MP on exploring Yorkshire and husband Ed Balls' love of Farmer Copley's farm shop

Castleford is home, but my favourite part would be the whole of what was the Yorkshire coalfield and its strong communities. It’s the tradition there of people pulling together. For beauty, you’d pick Ilkley Moor. I think Scarborough is gorgeous and I like the whole of the Yorkshire coast, but it’s difficult to choose because there are so many lovely places.

What is your idea of a perfect day or weekend out in Yorkshire?

Right now, because it’s raining so much, brings back memories of rainy days with the kids and going to the National Railway Museum in York. The children would run around and there was always something to do and see. I can remember getting these railway posters from the shop, so a trip to this outstanding museum would be perfect.

What is your favourite walk or view in Yorkshire?

I’m going to say a winter walk at Fairbairn Ings near Castleford where you can watch the sun setting when you look towards Methley. You can also see flocks of birds because it’s an RSPB site. It’s wonderful to watch the birds swirling around.

Who is your favourite sportsman or woman, past or present, who you would take out for lunch?

This is going to be Rob Burrow and the whole of his family, including his parents. They’ve all been fantastic. Alongside Kevin Sinfield, they’ve been inspirational with the work they’ve done to raise awareness of MND and their fundraising too. Rob’s sister persuaded me last year to do a Strictly fundraiser for MND. We did it at Headingley and I had to learn to dance an American smooth waltz which was brilliant fun.

Which Yorkshire stage or screen star or entertainer, past or present, would you like to take out for dinner?

Jodie Whittaker from Skelmanthorpe near Huddersfield because I’ve always been a Doctor Who fan.

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

It’s where we are now: Queen’s Mill on the river Aire in Castleford. It used to be the old Allinson’s flour mill and is being brought back into use by the Castleford Heritage Trust. Community groups, such as knit and natter, are using it non-stop, and now you’ve got small businesses here like craft beer, a coffee place and tea rooms. The regeneration has only just started, and Queen’s Mill is going to go from strength to strength.

What do you think it is which gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

The qualities I’ve noticed since becoming an MP are that Yorkshire people are straight talking, hard working and they look out for each other. I love living in Castleford. We live opposite Queen’s Park and every New Year from the end of our garden you can see the fireworks as people come together to celebrate. I like the way the community pulls together and the way everyone stands up for their neighbours.

How has Yorkshire changed, for the better or the worse, since you’ve known it?

I think we’ve seen a lot of regeneration happen in cities like Leeds, but I don’t think our smaller towns have had a fair deal and that’s what I’d like to see. Our High Streets in our towns have been badly hit, and another issue is the lack of neighbourhood policing in town centres which I’m glad to say in Castleford is now being put right by West Yorkshire Police.

Who is the Yorkshire person you admire the most?

I would say Barbara Castle, the former Labour Cabinet Minister in Harold Wilson’s government. She grew up in Pontefract and Bradford. She was fierce and determined and would take on anyone. Barbara brought in the Equal Pay Act which transformed conditions for women and introduced seat belts in cars which was controversial. Think how many lives have been saved. Barbara was still campaigning when she was 90.

How much influence has Yorkshire had on your career?

Enormous. All of the work is about what’s happening in Yorkshire. There’s a lot of constituency dealing with families and that can spread to national issues. Then there are projects, such as the community book scheme, collecting donations of children’s books which are delivered to schools. Yorkshire has always had lively political debate. Unions, friendly societies and socialist societies have strong roots here and are part of life along with sport, culture and our beautiful scenery.

If you could own part of Yorkshire for the day, what and where would that be?

That’s easy. I would like the Yorkshire Sculpture Park at West Bretton near Wakefield, but it has to be on a sunny day because the last time I got the kids to come with me, it was freezing cold, and I couldn’t get them to do anything. I think we could have a Glastonbury type festival there because you’ve got rolling hills, Henry Moore’s sculptures and all that beauty.

What is your favourite restaurant?

I’ve chosen John’s Fish and Chips on Redhill Drive in Castleford, the best fish and chips in the whole of Yorkshire and probably the best in the country. It’s not just me saying that. Other people will tell you the same thing. There are always long queues and it’s walking distance from our house. We go to John’s on a Thursday or a Friday.

And your favourite pub?

I like the King’s Arms at Heath, a village near Wakefield. The pub is Grade 11 listed; it’s lit by gaslight, and you are going back in time while there.

What is your favourite food shop?

Farmer Copley’s, a family run farm shop and café between Pontefract and Featherstone. Ed, my husband who does all the cooking, says they have the best beef in Britain which we enjoy for Sunday lunch. The other excellent place is Schofield’s Deli on Carlton Street in Castleford. That’s where I go on Fridays to get Gledhill’s pork pies from Wakefield.

If a stranger came to Yorkshire and you had time to take that person to one place only, where would that be?

It would probably be to York on the basis of all that history and if it rains, we can always go to the railway museum, but if we to go outside, I’d take them to Ilkley Moor.