'Why you should visit this mill which is a testament to Yorkshire ingenuity'
Ian Burdall is an artist living in Saltaire with his wife and son. He is a regular contributor to the Saltaire Arts Trail, and exhibits every year at the Staithes Festival of Art and Heritage which runs from September 11 to 13.
What’s your first Yorkshire memory?
My first real memory more than just my house and our back street in Harrogate, was visiting my auntie Ethel and uncle Leonard in Pateley Bridge. The transition from town to countryside was incredible, a completely different world. Nidderdale will always be special to me.
What’s your favourite part of the county?
I always end up by the sea. Every part of the Yorkshire coastline has a fascination for me. From the muddy creeks of the Humber, up past the sea cliffs of Boulby on to the industry [what’s left of it] at the mouth of the Tees.
What’s your idea of a perfect day out in Yorkshire?
The coast, with no set agenda. I can always find something to awaken my curiosity or someone to provide me with stories – or I might just simply sit back and enjoy its stunning beauty. The day would end with a pint, of course, probably at the Cod & Lobster in Staithes.
Do you have a favourite walk, or view?
The viewpoint at the top of Cowbar looking down on Staithes over the red rooftops, down the beck and out to sea is stunning.
However, several years ago the route of the Cleveland way was diverted to include the cliff tops on the way out of Staithes toward Whitby. This created a new and birds eye view of the village, over the harbour and up the coast toward the north.
Which Yorkshire sportsperson, past or present, would you like to take to lunch?
That’s an easy one for me. Tony Lambert, the founder and head coach of Aire Vally Disability sports. He is completely dedicated and enthusiastic about providing opportunities for disabled adults to take part in sports, and is the coach of my son’s football team and a constant source of inspiration.
Lunch would also be more than probably a boozy affair and completely hilarious.
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner?
Peter O’Toole. Dinner would comprise solely of crisps as we toured the pubs of Leeds. Think of the stories, spanning a career starting at RADA on to Lawrence of Arabia and voicing the food critic on Ratatouille.
I can imagine the evening would be as crazy as the plot of The Ruling Class which for me was his peak madness/genius.
If you had to name your Yorkshire ‘hidden gem’ what would it be?
Port Mulgrave is an abandoned harbour on the east coast that serviced the local mine. It was only ever accessible by sea and rail. The main structure of the harbour was destroyed in WW11 to stop it being used as a landing site in the event of an invasion.
Landslips and cliff falls have filled most of what’s left of the harbour basin; now all you can see a shanty town of fishing huts surrounded by old boats, crab pots, a tractor and lots of fossils.
If you could choose something in Yorkshire to own for a day, what would it be?
The National Railway Museum in York. As the new director I would close it to the public for the day so me and Charlie my son could clamber about in the engines and cabs of the locomotives. It would be a great day for us both to be 12 again. It is a truly magnificent museum.
Do you follow sport in the county?
I have always been Leeds United. My first game was Leeds v Tottenham many years ago. It was way back in the Bremner, Lorimer and Charlton era. I was too young to really appreciate what a great team I was watching. I have snapshots of that game etched into my mind.
The one that I can visualise most clearly is Jack Charlton stooping for a header and ploughing a long furrow into the wet turf with his knee.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?
My local is the Caroline Street Club in Saltaire. It’s my go to choice for a pint. You can catch an Elvis impersonator or some genuinely top end Americana acts, and even a game of bingo. It’s an old school time capsule. We had our wedding reception there twenty some years ago.
Do you have a favourite food shop?
I would walk 500 miles for a Weatherhead’s pork pie on Pateley Bridge High Street.
How do you think Yorkshire has changed, for better or worse, in the time you’ve known it?
Change is inevitable. We must move and adapt otherwise become intolerable very quickly. Yorkshire’s story will always evolve and we can all take part in it.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?
The people. We’re a dry, intelligent bunch with a quick wit and an ability to produce great things, powered by a work ethic that demands quality, and doubtless encouraged by the peerless countryside, gritty towns and stunning coastline.
Has living in Yorkshire influenced your work?
Very much so. I’ve lived in Saltaire for the last 20 years and it’s an extraordinary, creative place to be. I’ve made a number of paintings inspired by the industrial architecture on my doorstep.
Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer
I’ve recently discovered the writer Ben Myers who lives in Calderdale. His books are brutal and brilliantly descriptive. The Wedding Present – the sound of Leeds. Anyone who was anyone had a copy of the George Best album.
Art-wise, it’s got to be David Hockney. His influence on the art world is inestimable.
If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, where should it be?
Salts Mill: a testament to Yorkshire ingenuity. The machinery may have gone but it now houses top quality art and literature. There’s a permanent exhibition of Hockney originals which gives the place special significance. The caff’s not bad either.
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