Annie Laity: Meet the adopted Yorkshirewoman who bakes pasties for visitors to Bolton Castle

Annie Laity has spent the last 50 years living in North Yorkshire after she moved there from Cornwall. She owned and ran a restaurant in Bedale 20 years ago. Annie is now head cook at Bolton Castle, the medieval castle near Leyburn.

What is your first Yorkshire memory?

When I first moved here, the landscapes of Yorkshire reminded me of Cornwall so I felt very much at home. The people here share the same loyalty and pride of their region with the Cornish and I found their desire to make good honest food was something we shared.

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

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Annie Laity bakes pastries for visitors to Bolton Castle - and they've been a big hitAnnie Laity bakes pastries for visitors to Bolton Castle - and they've been a big hit
Annie Laity bakes pastries for visitors to Bolton Castle - and they've been a big hit

I love the mix of rolling green hills and shale slopes which give this area of North Yorkshire its character. It has a wildness and isolation but in reality, you’re never really far from anyone. These small communities dotted here and about are all so different but they share hardy characteristics which I love. Very Cornish, in my book.

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

If I have a chance to get out, I love the North York Moors. Big sky and lovely landscapes, in ever changing colours across the seasons, are hard to beat.

Do you have a favourite walk – or view?

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Bolton Castle in the Yorkshire Dales. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon HulmeBolton Castle in the Yorkshire Dales. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme
Bolton Castle in the Yorkshire Dales. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme

Anywhere in the Lake District. The lakes create a very different feel to Yorkshire and it almost feels like another country. I love a good walk to blow away the cobwebs and if we have the time, this is one of our favourite locations for incredible views. Those hills are worth the effort.

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

Kevin Keegan. Born near Doncaster, he has long been someone I’d love to meet and rather than take him for lunch, I’ll feed him myself with some of my homemade food. I think he’d appreciate that more.

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

Chef James Martin. I love his easy manner and ability to put his guests at ease. He’s a great Yorkshire ambassador and he understands quality ingredients. He and Kevin Keegan might get on well!

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

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There’s a lovely woodland area at Constable Burton. It’s so tranquil and a lovely spot to take in nature.

If you could choose somewhere, or some object, from or in Yorkshire to own for a day, what would it be?

As I’m looking forward to producing my 10,000th pasty in time for half term Halloween fun at the castle you might think it’d be automatic pasty crimpers but I find doing it by hand is the best method and it doesn’t matter how many, I can do it in my sleep.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

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It is a truly vast county. It has a bit of everything, cities and towns, countryside and coastal areas. I can’t think of a type of landscape that isn’t here. We are very lucky. You can be surrounded by people and busy streets one minute, and you can be without a soul with the birds singing around you, the next.

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

I enjoy shooting. It’s in our blood obviously as a family, but it’s exciting and a really sociable activity.

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

Amatol, the Indian restaurant in Richmond. Consistently good.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

You can’t live near Leyburn and not recommend Campbells.

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How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you’ve known it?

Nowadays there is a much more diverse range of food on offer. I used to struggle for some ingredients, but not anymore. It’s a cornucopia of good things.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

Angus at the Yorkshire Auction House. I admire his confidence and knowledge.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

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I am very flattered that my baking has been such a hit with visitors to Bolton Castle. They are a lovely creative team here. They encourage me to use recipes which I have known since I was a child and let me create cakes and bakes that include elements from the gardens and estate.

I grew up baking using local ingredients in Cornwall and Yorkshire has such an abundance to add to my cooking. I do everything by hand as I don’t even like to use a mixer and this seems to fit with the Yorkshire way of baking. I’ve managed to avoid crimpers cramp so far in my 50 years of making pasties.

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

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Of course, I’m bound to say the books by James Herriott, otherwise known as Alf Wight. These are books that keep on giving, showing Yorkshire off to a tee in its current adaption on television. The books are fantastic and was one of my first introductions to the good people of Yorkshire. Some things never change.

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

I’d recommend Bolton Castle, of course, but that would be far too obvious! Newby Hall and Gardens near Ripon is a lovely place too. I just love a good house and garden.

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Bolton Castle is open until 1 November. Annie is baking in the kitchen at the castle on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Castle and the Tea Room are open every day over the half term when the castle offers Halloween fun for all the family.

Visit www.boltoncastle.co.uk for details.

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