'I created Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Christmas cards - and this is my hidden Yorkshire gem'

Lights, and lots of them – I must have been about five, and we had a family trip out in the car, and we went to Sheffield city centre, to see all the Christmas lights on the streets and in the shop windows. It was absolutely magical, a true wonderland of activity and colour.

What’s your favourite part of the county why?

The Dales - with that soft landscape constantly unrolling. There are still so many gentle boundaries, and the wildlife and their territories are at one with each other. It’s timeless.

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

Church on the Sunday morning, then back home, and making up some sandwiches and a hot flask. Then out into the countryside and a good walk – maybe five miles or so – and a pleasant pub with a roaring fire at the end of it. Back home, and an evening with a good movie, one that has a happy conclusion, in front of the fire.

Do you have a favourite walk?

Nicolette and I love doing the walk around Beningborough Hall, which is a circular track, about four or five miles, through woodland and copses and with views of that lovely building every now and then. The water along York Ings is also a joy, and I’ve spotted many a Kingfisher in flight.

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

David Hockney, someone whom you could rightly identify as “a bit of a character.” Still innovative, still working and producing astonishing work. I’ve always admired that man.

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

Sir Michael Parkinson. He learned his trade, and then emerged as one of the best TV interviewers ever – he always asked the right question after putting his guests at ease, and he drew out some wonderful answers.

In fact, he listened, and listening to what the people say is something that the so-called talk show hosts of today would do well to learn.

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

Spurn Point. It never fails to amaze me. You park the car, and there’s another three miles to walk before you get to the lighthouse.

There are amazing objects left unexpectedly in the shingle and sand – it always reminds me of Charlton Heston finding New York city buried, as he explores in Planet of the Apes. It’s a wonderful place for driftwood and unexpected “finds.” You get fresh air, the sound of the sea, and a feeling of peace.

If you could own one thing in Yorkshire for a day, what would that it be?

The entire North York Moors Railway, and every carriage of the full journey between Pickering and Whitby would be filled with family and friends.

Steam drifting past the windows, incomparable scenery, wildlife, and the joys of Whitby at the end of the outbound trip. Returning in the twilight, just as dusk falls.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

The landscape, of course, but before that, the people who inhabit it. No nonsense, but they connect so well.

I can go out for my morning walk, and I meet all sorts of people, and they all smile, nod, say “good morning” or whatever, and sometimes there’s a bit of a conversation, and sometime a bit of a moan about an issue, but we speak.

Would you do that in London? They’d think that you were crackers.

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

I was brought up to follow Sheffield Wednesday, which I did, and yes, it was fun – until Wednesday got severely thrashed twice by Arsenal in one year, and I lot all heart.

Fast forward to my son Luke being persuaded that Arsenal are the be-all and end all by his uncle, and……well, you can guess the rest. I still watch the Wednesday results each week, though!

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

Very near to us is The Phoenix. Lovely place, run so well, open fires, a genuine welcome and great ale. What more do you require?

Do you have a favourite food shop?

The Harlow Carr branch of Bettys, we used to take my late mother there a lot, and we could have a lovely light meal, and watch the wildlife in those wonderful gardens.

She loved it, and Nicolette and I have so very many happy memories of the place.

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

It’s extremely easy to talk about “the good old days,” because there’s such a cosy glow that comes from nostalgia.

A lot of wonderful Yorkshire is still there, but so many farmers today seem to want to go in for intensive agriculture, ripping up the hedgerows, and when the builders come in to create their new vast estates, they all go for the same boringly predictable design – every new-build looks the same, brick walls with hole punched in them.

Why can’t we do something else? How about some of those marvellous wooden designs from Scandinavia?

It would also be good to return to the days of shops closing on Sundays – one day of peace and quiet in a noisy week.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

Rachell Maskell, the York Central MP, one of the very few people in the House of Commons who, to me, has principles, values and – that exceedingly rare quality – integrity.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

Every time I look out of the studio window, or go for a walk, yes. Nature, wildlife, pattens on the shingle, or in the crops in the fields. Everything is inspirational, and makes me think: “Ah, I’m going to get that on paper when I get home.”

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

York, with its abundance of history – just get up there and walk the walls, and you’ll get an idea of the city and how it functions. And up there on the ramparts, you also get some good nosey views into some splendid private gardens, as well.

Information on the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and on Gerard’s Christmas card visit ywt.org.uk