'Yorkshire's rugged landscape is matched by its people - and especially its farmers'

My first memories are of growing up in Skipton. My family had a well-known pet shop and animal feed business just off the High Street.

My grandfather, George Leatt, also owned The High Corn Mill.

Even today I can remember how Skipton High Street looked like when I was a kid, the amazing variety of shops, such as butchers with game hanging outside and how the shops all had very distinctive smells, from the chemist, the cobbler and even our shop which smelt predominantly of dog biscuits.

What’s your favourite part of the county – and why?

My favourite part of the county is the Great Yorkshire Showground; it is my happy place. As a family we’ve had some amazing days at the Show when we’ve won Holstein Champion and Supreme Dairy Champion.

But even out of showtime, when it’s empty it’s still a pretty special place.

Do you have a favourite walk – or view?

Stephen (my husband) and I prefer to walk by the sea and the walk along the coast from Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby, we really enjoy.

Getting the bus from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay and walking back is the best way to do it. Especially welcome at the bottom of the 199 steps from the abbey is a pint in one of Whitby’s great pubs.

Which sportsperson, past or present, would you take for lunch?

I would take Anita Lonsborough. For many years, all I knew of her was on a plaque at Skipton Swimming Baths from when she opened the baths in 1964.

I saw that plaque every week for many years, as it took me quite a while to learn to swim.

But more recently when I looked at her swimming record, I realised what an incredible woman she was, winning a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

It would be another 48 years before another British woman achieved this. I’d love to chat to her about how opportunities for women have changed in her lifetime.

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

I’m going to cheat slightly. Jenny Agutter is not from Yorkshire but the film which made her famous, most definitely is. The Railway Children is my favourite film.

I can recite it word for word and her part as Bobby is my favourite character. I would say that going to see The Railway Children at the pictures is one of my earliest memories.

I also love the character she plays in Call The Midwife.

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

If I had to name a hidden Yorkshire gem, it would be Skipton Woods, I was lucky enough to grow up just a stone’s throw away. My brother and I and neighbouring kids would be out all day in the woods.

We would go home when hungry, filthy and stinking of wild garlic.

It’s amazing that such a beautiful woodland and system of dams that once fed the mills in the area now make up an oasis of calm in close proximity to the town centre, now managed by The Woodland Trust.

If you could own something or somewhere in Yorkshire for a day, what would it be?

It would be the house at the bottom of the bay at Robin Hood’s Bay, by the beach.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

I’d say it’s the rugged landscape, matched by the ruggedness of the people: a good mix of common sense and bloody mindedness. This can also describe of a lot of Yorkshire farmers.

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

My football team is Burnley, yes, I know that’s Lancashire, but in Skipton, especially in the ‘70s, half the town were Burnley fans.

However, as my brother, husband and son support Leeds United I also follow them, it helps with harmony in the household.

Burnley has gone back down into The Championship now after an all too frequently brief spell in the Premier League, so at least we won’t be playing each other next season.

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

We don’t tend to eat out much but we like ‘proper pubs’. No particular favourites, so long as the beer and company is good. I’m allergic to wine so beer is my usual drink.

We often end up at Saltaire Brewery Tap House, which is just a couple of miles away, near enough to walk home if required.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

That would be Fodder at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

I like the fact that you know you are supporting Yorkshire food producers with every purchase and profits go back into the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, as a charity that champions farming.

Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer

My favourite Yorkshire band is Human League. I was a big fan when I was 16 but didn’t get to see them live. This was rectified when they toured with the 40th anniversary tour of Dare.

I had goosebumps, it was well worth the wait.

If you had to change one thing in, or about Yorkshire, what would that be?

It is terribly difficult to pick anything. I'd be tempted to say the weather but the weather is a big reason why Yorkshire's landscapes look like they do, so there probably actually isn't one thing that I would change.

If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, where should it be?

I’d recommend they come to The Great Yorkshire Show. There’s a little bit of everything at the Show: the best cattle, sheep and other livestock, food and drink, top class showjumping, brilliant entertainment – an all-round great day out.