Aldborough Festival: 'I run a festival amidst Roman ruins - it's a snapshot of Yorkshire at its best'

Perhaps my most vivid memory of early childhood is being at Newby Hall, which was just across the river from our house in Roecliffe.

I remember the excitement of the walk through the gardens to the Adventure Playground, in blazing hot sun (it was the 1976 heatwave).

From arriving at the first attraction - the swingboats - to the miniature railway and the pedalos it had everything a three-year-old could want.

What’s your favourite part of the county?

I think I would choose the Vale of York, where I was brought up, as it holds such strong memories, and is still where my parents live.

There is just something so special about the beautiful old Georgian brick buildings you see in Vale of York villages, including in Aldborough, where the festival is based.

What’s your idea of a perfect weekend out in Yorkshire?

Yorkshire is a huge county, this would not be a particularly relaxing weekend.

We would head through Thirsk, up Sutton Bank, stopping in Helmsley to have a look at the birds of prey in Duncombe Park, then make the drive between Pickering and Whitby - the views are jaw-dropping.

In Whitby we would lose some money on the slot machines, eat some fish and chips and then spend the night in nearby Robin Hood's Bay. Returning via York we would spend an hour in either the York Castle Museum or the Yorkshire Museum followed b lunch at the Alice Hawthorn in Nun Monkton.

After a quick visit to Harrogate we would have tea in the Stables Courtyard at Harewood House - it's on my wish-list of possible concert venues.

For the evening, we would head into Leeds either to take in a show at Opera North, a play at the Leeds Playhouse or a gig at Hyde Park Book Club.

Do you have a favourite walk?

I love walking now - as a child I didn't really see the point - although I'm as happy walking through towns as on a scenic countryside walk.

My favourite is quite a short one from Appletreewick to Burnsall where, if the weather's good, we can enjoy a swim.

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

At the risk of embarrassing my mother, I would say Chris Old, the former Yorkshire cricket captain. His was the first signature I got when I first started getting into cricket at eight years old.

My mother met him watching a village cricket match, and asked if he was one of the players. When he said he wasn't, she expressed sympathy that he hadn't made it into the team.

He later signed a beer mat for me, apparently without a grudge.

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

Not an easy choice, as there are so many famous Yorkshire actors, from James Mason to Judi Dench. But I think I would either choose Tom Courtenay - Billy Liar is a favourite film of mine, or Reece Shearsmith.

I remember when The League of Gentlemen first appeared in the late '90s. I don't think anything as grotesque or bizarre had ever been turned into comedy before - it was quite revolutionary in its way.

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

It's not particularly hidden, as it is a National Trust house, but the Treasurer's House in York is definitely under-appreciated.

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

Some friends and I could take over the wicket at Headingley for a charity cricket match. We'd have to do something about those empty stands though - I wouldn't pay to watch us.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

I know it sounds like a cliché, but friends who visit always comment on how friendly people are here.

They’ll find themselves chatting to complete strangers on the street or on public transport without thinking about it, which just doesn’t really happen in London.

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

Harrogate is full of restaurants, and the line-up is constantly changing, which probably tells you how tough they are to run.

The ones that have thrived for years, like the William & Victoria, the Drum & Monkey or Brio, somehow manage the trick of keeping quality high while costs keep rising.

These days I find myself leaning more towards simpler, Mediterranean-style food based on good ingredients rather than long tasting menus.

Chefs like Tommy Banks have really nailed that with places like the Abbey Inn or the General Tarleton. My local pub, the Queen's Head in Kettlesing, still does a great steak and ale pie.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

For good independent food shops, Commercial Street in Harrogate is great - places like the Cheeseboard, Keith Addyman the butcher, Tarbetts fishmongers and the True Tea Company.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

With a nod to my former job in jewellery and watches, I was tempted to cite John Harrison, the inventor of the marine chronometer in the 1720s, but instead I'll choose two musicians - Dame Janet Baker, possibly the finest mezzo-soprano the UK has produced, and Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

I think in subtle ways, yes. Our festival is often described by artists as being a particularly friendly one to visit, and I think that stems from the warmth of the welcome they receive from the festival team, our volunteers, stewards and audience. I'm sure that's a Yorkshire trait - there's no pretension or postering, just a genuine appreciation of the music and the atmosphere.

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

I love the novels of Kate Atkinson. The pair of wartime novels Life after Life and A God in Ruins are classics, and I also loved Transcription.

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

The last night of the Northern Aldborough Festival would be a good start - it's a snapshot of Yorkshire at its best.

1,000 people of all ages in a stunning private garden, picnicking amongst Roman ruins while enjoying live music and fireworks.

The Northern Aldborough Festival takes place from June 18 - June 27.