My Yorkshire: Liane Llewellyn

Liane Llewellyn, Britain's outstanding open-water swimmer, completed an epic, 27-hour two-way crossing of the Channel last August, despite strong winds, huge waves and contrary currents. Born in Bradford, Liane, 27, now lives in Denholme and works as a physiotherapist.

What is your first memory of being outdoors?

I remember when I was in my first year at middle school. I was about 10 and we went on a school trip to Ingleborough Hall in the Dales. It was brilliant. We stayed in dormitories and on the first day we were taken to the changing area to be fitted for our wellies, waterproofs and helmets to go caving. I remember being really excited to be away from home and to have been caving, which felt like a real adventure. One of the highlights of the trip was the last evening because it was Bonfire Night and we all sat around a big fire which we helped build by collecting wood from the grounds. We sang songs, watched fireworks and ate bonfire toffee, it was a real treat.

What is your favourite part of the county and why?

Malham. I love the unique landscape with the limestone cliffs of the cove, Janet's Foss and Gordale Scar. On a sunny day, I could sit up on the limestone pavement for hours looking at the views around and hopping between the blocks.

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What is your idea of a perfect weekend/day out in Yorkshire?

I would go for a day out with my family. The day would begin with a swim outdoors in the dam above Todmorden followed by a walk on the moors and would finish up with a meal at The Shepherd's Rest pub at the bottom.

Do you have a favourite walk or view in Yorkshire?

I love the view from Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington in spring when the cliffs are covered with seabirds. It is a fabulous sight and I love to look out to sea.

Which Yorkshire sportsman/woman (past or present) would you like to take for lunch?

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Well, I'm going to cheat here a little because the person I would choose is the late Trevor Foster MBE who, although he was actually a proud Welshman, was affectionately known as Mr Rugby League in Bradford and definitely an adopted Yorkshireman. Without Trevor's efforts my beloved Bradford Northern/Bulls may not have been around for me to see. I had the great pleasure of meeting Trevor after the Challenge Cup final at Murrayfield, Edinburgh after the Bradford Bulls had beaten the Leeds Rhinos. This was an emotional day for me and my family

and I remember going over to speak to Trevor to get his autograph. He was so polite, a true gentleman and my dad started to tell Trevor how he, too, was born in Wales but living in Bradford. Next thing I knew the two of them were singing Welsh rugby songs.

Which Yorkshire stage or screen star (past or present) would you like to take for lunch?

Sean Bean made a big impression on me in his portrayal as the game-keeper in a TV mini series of a certain DH Lawrence novel. He has been great in everything he has done and has a great Yorkshire accent to be proud of.

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

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Doe Park water activities centre in Denholme. A great place to discover watersports and the staff are really friendly. I love to take my kayak down there on an evening in the summer but I wish Yorkshire Water would let me swim there.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

The fabulous countryside and honest, open people.

Apart from swimming, which other sports do you follow in the county?

I was brought up in Odsal and my dad would take me as a child to watch Bradford Northern. I took great delight in attending, not to see the mascots like today, but to collect the players' profile cards handed out around the ground by the policemen. I am still a keen follower of the Bradford Bulls today.

Another sport I used to follow at Odsal was the stock-car racing and I used to love going to watch the stock-car finals on the bank holidays with my dad and sister. I would always look out for Frankie Wainman and Frankie Wainman Junior, who are stock-car legends locally.

What are your interests in Yorkshire cultural life?

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The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is fabulous and I really like the Hockney collection at Salts Mill. I think the Alhambra in Bradford is as good as any West End theatre and St George's Hall is a great concert venue.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

The Grouse Inn, near Oakworth and The Shepherds Rest Inn, near Todmorden. Both are really friendly places, serve lovely traditional food and some great Yorkshire ales.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

The Granary bakery in Denholme serves wonderful delights ranging from fabulous sandwiches, wonderful pasties and gorgeous cakes.

How do you think Yorkshire has changed in the time you have known it

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When I first started open-water swimming, we had several Yorkshire venues. We used to be able to train at Doe Park in Denholme and we

used to run a British Long Distance Swimming Association junior event at Roundhay Park in Leeds, which was excellent. Unfortunately, we are

no longer allowed to access the venues to swim, which is a shame. However, I now run a swim at Wykeham Watersports in Scarborough which is designed to encourage new swimmers into open water.

Are those changes for the better?

For the worse. It's a shame that Yorkshire Water and other landowners are so against the recreational or competitive use of their reservoirs. Only a few (including Doe Park in Denholme) are available for recreational use and even fewer for swimming. With the rising popularity of open-water swimming through the Great Swim series, perhaps someone will come forward and offer a venue for another event or training facility in Yorkshire

Who is the Yorkshire man or woman you most admire?

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Amy Johnson, for overcoming the odds to succeed in a man's world. To fly solo to Australia in the 1930s was a huge feat and she had to overcome prejudice to become an engineer and pilot.

Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/musician

I have to say my good friend Amanda Taylor who has just achieved a lifetime ambition by having her first book published this year. It is a mystery set in Yorkshire at Staithes called The Chinaman's Bastard. I am very proud to know a published author and Amanda is a dear friend who I met through swimming.