Michael Wood: My Yorkshire

What’s your first Yorkshire memory?

Travelling as a child from Hull to the seaside on what seemed a never-ending bus journey. It was just as the bus pulled out of the village of Patrington that it got exciting, because that’s when every child on board wanted to be the first to spot the spectacular Withernsea lighthouse. I still do the same now when travelling there in the car.

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

York has always been special for me, because it is a perfect marriage of the old and the new and has the feeling of being somewhere special in life. If you are a people watcher, then tourists, together with the city’s many buskers, always make for fun entertainment all day long.

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

Beverley. My partner, Margaret, loves all of the independent shops, and while she indulges herself there, I like to sit and read all the papers in the Wednesday market café bars. Beverley is really a mini-York, but with, thankfully, no (to date) MacDonald’s or Kentucky Fried Chicken, though, sadly, it also has no Bettys, which would be more than welcome.

Do you have a favourite walk or view?

When you go into the Bridlington Spa, you can walk in a straight line down to the Spa café, where you will experience a spectacular, 3D cinemascope panorama of the North Sea through the café’s viewing windows. Every week without fail, Margaret and I indulge in a cream tea there before heading off on the best walk ever, which is through Bridlington harbour, then we head northwards along the coastline for a two-mile leg-stretch along the cliff edge to Sewerby Hall and its gardens.

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

The sporting duo of Ken Wagstaff (Waggy) and Chris Chilton (Chillo), the former ’60s’ and ’70s’ football partnership for Hull City. I’m sure that I’m not alone in believing that footballers now get way too much money and adulation for what seems to be little talent and no loyalty, not like that shown by the likes of Waggy and Chillo in their day.

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

While I much prefer taking females to dinner, I would settle for Michael Parkinson. I think celebrity has most of us hooked and so I would be more than happy to have Parkie do all of the talking. I always admired his chat shows – he was well prepared with the questions and he was also someone who listened. Some of the so-called chat hosts today seem only to want to follow their own agenda and to show off. It’s all for them, and not for their guests.

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

Sewerby Hall and Gardens. The peace and quiet when strolling around its grounds is calming for the soul. Of all the great houses, I believe Sewerby Hall hosts the most events, everything from jousting, to literature festivals. It is also the only one of the great houses that has a sea view – a view to die for.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

One of my roles as the County Crier is to MC Yorkshire Day, organised by the council and held at different locations in the East Riding each year. I love doing it, and it’s a great honour and privilege; to have such a day in the first place and to celebrate it without smugness or arrogance but with love and pride for who we are. This tells you all you need to know about what’s unique about Yorkshire – which is that, sadly, everyone cannot be lucky enough to be Yorkshire-born.

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

My sporting passions are Hull City first team, Hull City second team and just about any team that beats Leeds United.

Do you have a favourite restaurantor pub?

I am much more of a coffee and cake than a pie and pint person. So my choice would be firstly, The Purple Cow café, in Cottingham village, which serves home-made Bakewell tart with custard that would give anything in Bakewell more than a run for its money. Second choice is the French-themed Lempika Continental Café which you can find in Beverley Market on Wednesdays, and where you can discover coffee with a kick. The owner – and she’s something of a coffee expert – is Aletia, who is passionate about her business, and she always tempts me to partake of a few of the lovely chocolates that are on display.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

Margaret and I are fans of Waitrose for our treats and Morrisons for everyday vitals, but we do support our market traders as and when we can.

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

If Hull is anything to go by, then it’s easily for the better. From the loss of its fishing industry, it has had to reinvent itself, and it’s gone from a total industrial city to one that still has industry, but which combines it with now being a popular tourist destination.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

I vividly remember Captain Cook from school history lessons, and he was definitely the stuff of a schoolboy’s adventurous dreams.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

Yes, but only since coming back to live in Yorkshire after my demob day from the Army in 1994. It has absolutely influenced my work on becoming a Town Crier in 1997, when I have since been able to shout out loud its praises while travelling about Britain and beyond.

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

Can I be allowed a bit of licence, and say Bill Bryson? Although he’s not a Yorkshireman, he should be given the Freedom of Yorkshire. Aside from being a brilliant and witty writer, he has also got good taste and class, because he loves this marvellous county. I find it more than interesting that he is the president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Why does it take an American to want to protect rural England?

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

No hesitation at all – a trip to my place of birth – Bridlington, which I like to think of as the Acapulco of Yorkshire.