Knaresborough: 'My hometown is the perfect place to live - with a viaduct to take your breath away'

Castles and old historical buildings were a passion for me as a lad – and they still are.

I vividly recall coming to visit the area around Helmsley and the Vale of Pickering when I was about seven years old, and we stayed with a local farmer, whose wife was a terrific cook, and who made perfect Yorkshire Puddings.

What’s your favourite part of the county?

When we first came to Yorkshire, we lived in Garforth, and then we scouted around, and moved to Knaresborough, because we’d found it on a cold winter’s day, and we knew it was where we wanted to be when we sat on the castle walls, which were covered in light snow, and looked down the river.

For us, it’s just perfect. Super-friendly, a beautiful place, that viaduct to take your breath away, good connections and a welcoming atmosphere.

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

A walk, a meal out, a bike ride, a picnic, a visit to one of our wonderful pubs, some exercise on an unrestricted beach with our dog Scarla, the stepping stones at Bolton Abbey, and - given Hayden’s delight in all things railway – a trip to one of our very special heritage lines, or the NRM in York.

Do you have a favourite walk – or view?

I love a beach, and Runswick Bay is very special – when you get down that steep front to the North Sea, you find miles of space to walk on. And then you always forget that you have to make that walk all the way back up again.

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

He’s an adopted son of Yorkshire, and one of the finest fund-raisers ever, not only a great sportsman but a genuine, caring human being.

Sir Kevin Sinfield – and no-one ever deserved that knighthood more than he. So many Yorkshire lives have been changed by that man. He’s humble – but truly inspirational.

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

She’s our Age UK patron, and a wonderful human being – Dame Judi Dench. She’s consistently passionate about what we do, and what we seek to achieve, and she is always up to date with what we do.

In fact, she’s visiting York in the late autumn, so we very much hope to see her then. A lady who is wise, witty, and a world-wide icon. She’s an amazing example to us all.

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

Not a single gem, but bags of them – and they are all the people across so many different organisations and ventures who give up their time to help out, in whichever way that they can.

They are all, in my eyes, diamonds, always full of energy and ideas and enthusiasm.

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

May I have a large boat, on the River Ouse which would fit all my family, colleagues and friends on board for a day on the water, with unlimited food and wine. We’d just cruise up and down, having a glorious time.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

There’s a real sense of community here, people speak their minds and very plainly, and there’s also a feeling of compassion and togetherness.

You know where you stand when you are with someone from Yorkshire. No nonsense, but also so friendly and giving.

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

I enjoy my cricket, so a few days at Headingley is always fun, and I’m proud to say that Hayden and I are really keen supporters of York City – in fact, this season will see him with his first season ticket, and we’ll be there to watch as many games as we can.

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

Ambiente, in York, does it for us. A place to chill, kick back, and enjoy their fabulous tapas. But Yorkshire is full of good pubs and restaurant that we are spoiled for choice.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

We like Fodder in Harrogate, the people who run and staff it are so knowledgeable, and, believe it or not, they also stock a Yorkshire whisky, which is a very palatable drop indeed.

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

The high streets have changed, but that’s true of everywhere – older people want to see those places return to what they remember, but I’m sad to say that that’s not going to happen.

Banks are disappearing, and so are many of the little independents, which is very sad.

People need other people – they need to know where to go to get help, and to be given information. Not everyone has access to a laptop or a phone. Times have moved on, but not necessarily for the better.

Human contact, a chat, a few kind words, some advice where needed, all are essential.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

All the people who give up their time to help others – but if you want a specific person, then it must be William Wilberforce, who spent most of his life trying to get the abolition of slavery.

At his own cost….let’s not forget that MPs weren’t paid in those days, and his struggles cost him a fortune, and his health.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

Totally. I live and breathe it. The communities that I work with, the self-sacrifice that I see every day, the ideas that become reality…..it’s an honour to do my job.

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

Pulp were, and are, great favourites, and I’m also an admirer of Sean Bean. Honest to his roots, a very fine actor, and who could ever forget him in Sharpe?

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

We’d split the day, with the first part spent on the coast somewhere, maybe Filey, just breathing in the fresh air and having a fish and chip lunch, and then we’d be off to Sheffield or Leeds for a live music event somewhere. Activity first, then some relaxing entertainment.