My Yorkshire: Anthea Rathlin-jones

What’s your first Yorkshire memory?

I’m from Cornwall originally and I used to come up to Cumbria with my Aunt Jess, who was a headmistress in Suffolk. We used to come across into North Yorkshire while we were there. I remember the sheep and cows and the beautiful countryside.

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

Where I live I overlook the Ribblehead Viaduct and you just couldn’t get anything more stunning than that. I have the joy of just being able to open my door and I’m in the countryside. I take my dog out with me and it doesn’t really matter what the weather is like. It can be misty, foggy. Every bit of light is magical. The nights during December have been wonderful with the snow and the moon, a glorious time.

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

It would probably involve walking. I like Malham Cove and Ingleborough. I’ve done the Three Peaks once, but never again. For lunch, I would go to The Angel at Hetton. In the afternoon, I’d take in a bit of culture at Bolton Abbey, or a Natural Trust house.

Do you have a favourite walk – or view?

It is quite extraordinary seeing the limestone pavements. When you’re up Ingleborough you see the grykes the trees grow out of. It’s fascinating to think how old they are and that the Romans and Vikings were once there.

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

Maybe Dickie Bird. I have met him in Scarborough. He’s good. I love Scarborough and I’m a big cricket fan. We go to Scarborough Cricket Festival each year, a group of about 10 of us. I am a qualified county umpire and used to umpire at Kent. My father was a great cricketer and my mother taught me how to score.

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

James Mason, whom I’ve just found out came from Huddersfield. It would have to be him. My father was the image of him; they would look like peas in a pod. I would also probably have playwright John Godber. He’s a very interesting man. He came to the theatre to give a presentation and was a very down-to-earth, lovely man with interesting tales to tell.

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

The Mart Theatre. We work around the livestock; it’s a two-man band and part-time as well, but we are the only venue of its kind in Europe. The Arts Council have called us the jewel in their crown.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

It’s the people. They are straight, blunt, and have no side to them; you get what you get, and I value that. There’s not the degree of hiding behind barriers or wanting to manipulate things in a different way without saying it. They will say it.

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

I do like rugby and cricket. We always attend the Scarborough Cricket Festival which has the best atmosphere of any cricket ground I know.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

The Angel in Hetton and The Bull at Broughton. Two Lancastrians, Nigel Howarth and Craig Bancroft, bought The Bull and use local produce, and they are doing a great job with it.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

I love specialist cheese shops. My favourite cheese is Mrs Bell’s Blue. It’s a full-fat, soft, blue-veined ewe’s milk cheese with a slightly peppery taste. When young, it’s crumbly and has a dry texture, but as it matures, it develops a rich creamy texture and a full robust flavour. Can you tell how much I like it?

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

I think for the better. In this area, there has been an awakening of people’s minds since foot-and-mouth disease, in 2001. There is now a greater understanding of the value of the arts and how they can help the area. There are also more people coming to the theatre. Foot-and-mouth disease and its effects made people think about what they would do if it happened again when all the B&Bs were empty.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

Probably the chef, Brian Turner. He’s big, bold and brassy. He does really good food and has turned himself into a success.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

It certainly has. The Mart Theatre has given me the opportunity to be entrepreneurial, to be a bit risky and innovative. Art in the Pen has been one of our most successful ideas. The event is now moving into its sixth year and is probably today regarded as one of best contemporary art fairs outside London. The mart’s penning area for sheep and cattle is transformed into an artists’ space which attracted 8,000 people over two days last year. The artists who came sold £79,000 worth of work, plus commissions.

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

An artist called Dionne Swift. She is one of the best textile artists to come out of the county – weaving, working with textiles and creating artwork to hang on your wall, round your neck or whatever. Her studio is in Huddersfield.

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

No contest! The Mart Theatre.

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