My Yorkshire: Colin Belsey

What's your first Yorkshire memory?

Walking the Pennine Way in 1977, when I was all of 17. I'd travelled around a bit, but this was my first real trip to the North. As a southern teenager, I had no idea the North was so beautiful, and I instantly fell in love with all those dry stone walls. There aren't many of those where I grew up in the Sussex and Surrey area. I was born and raised in Uckfield, which I believe Noel Coward was quite disparaging about in one of his plays.

What's your favourite part of the county and why?

The Dales, but particularly Swaledale, with its particular uniqueness the field barns give it. I love them, they are very special, and, like the walls, they have been around for centuries. When you realise that some of the walling was done so that the monasteries could mark out the boundary of their territories all those many centuries ago, it really does give you a new perspective on life.

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

I could say seeing my beloved Brighton and Hove Albion beating Leeds United. But I ought to say a walk in the Dales with my wife, Wendy, followed by a romantic meal in a country pub with a nice bottle of claret. Wendy and I have been together now for eight years – I'd been working in Jersey in the police force, and I came up to Yorkshire to take part in a bell-ringing competition. We met then, there was a spark, and we've been together ever since. I made the decision to leave Jersey and to retire from the force to be with her.

Do you have a favourite walk or view?

The Three Peaks – the walk is 26 miles in all and it takes the day for me to do it. On the Land's End-John O'Groats walk, I've been aiming to do at least 13 miles a day. That's in all weathers, and it's punishing.

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

Geoffrey Boycott, one of the greatest batsmen England has ever produced. A straight-talking Yorkshireman who, I know, would tell it as it is. We have both lived in Jersey as well, so would have something in common. I did love Jersey – I went there as a trainee manager for Woolworths, and joined the police a little later. But for a keen walker like me, there's not a great deal to offer on the island – you walk across it, and you walk back, and that's about it.

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

Dame Judi Dench. She would be fascinating to talk to, I'm sure. I've never met her but those who have tell me that she is everything that one would expect, and Wendy and I love her in just about everything that she does. We really enjoyed Cranford.

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

Simon's Seat, north of Bolton Abbey, a lovely spot. You walk up from the Abbey along a little valley, and then up on to the moors, where you find this great granite outcrop of rocks. There's an amazing view, and strangely enough not a lot of people ever seen to want to make the effort to get up there. It has a quiet magic all its own...

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

The broad Yorkshire accent and dry stone walls. I admit it now, but I did have to listen quite carefully to what the locals were saying to me when I first arrived here. But I think that I've found a niche here now, and I am a staunch supporter of all things Yorkshire, as a very happily adopted son.

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

Since moving to Yorkshire, I have followed the fortunes of York City and would love to see them back in the Football League. I also like to watch a bit of cricket when time allows, although Yorkshire would have to take second place after my home team, Sussex – who happen to be doing rather well at the moment.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

Prima's in Ripon is one of the best Italian restaurant around and Wendy and I love the place. As for pubs, Barry from Bradford runs a super little pub called The George at Hubberholme in Wharfedale which we don't visit nearly as often as we should. It's warm, it's friendly, the staff have the right attitude, the food is first rate and – of course – there's a superb pint of Skipton beer waiting.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

Lewis and Coopers at Northallerton. Their range of products is incredible and of the highest quality. It gives you all that supermarkets cannot – individual service and attention, and lots of interesting products that you won't find on a chain store shelf. Wendy and I are firm believers in shopping locally for things .

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

The Pennine hills are still as devastatingly attractive to me today as they were way back in 1977. Ask me the same question in another 20 years and I might have an informed opinion.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

My wife, Wendy. She's tremendous. She works as a dental hygienist in Harrogate, and she is amazingly supportive of everything that I do.

She let me go off on this marathon walk, for a start. And she has come to catch up with me every weekend as well, when that is possible. She is my soul partner.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

As a part-time verger at Ripon Cathedral, I regularly extol the virtues of the county to visitors. They are always interested in the history of the building and of the area. I'm still finding out more and more about the cathedral, and every time that I walk in there I find something new. You get a wonderful sense of continuity reaching across the centuries.

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

Alan Bennett writes some excellent plays and I love reading his diaries, but as a retired copper, I do enjoy watching Heartbeat, which is a great advertisement for a great county. Such a shame that Yorkshire TV have pulled it from the schedules. When I was in Jersey, it was at the time the BBC were making Bergerac, and one way that the police on the island could make a little bit of cash on the side was to be an extra on the set on your days off. I think I did it about five times, and I believe that we all got paid 100. John Nettles was such a nice guy, very quiet and unassuming.

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

Either the splendid city of York or The Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in England. Every now and then – this last winter was an example – you hear of visitors to the Tan Hill getting trapped up there for a few nights. But, on a sunny summer's day, it really is a glorious place to be.

To donate to Colin's campaign, call Margaret Hammond on 01765 603583, or go to the Ripon Cathedral web pages.

YP MAG 10/7/10