My Yorkshire: Mark Skipper

What's your first memory of being outdoors?

I first came to Yorkshire over 40 years ago with my parents and brother in our little green Mini. We were staying with a cousin near Manchester and went on a day trip to the moors on the Pennine tops. There were four adults and four children packed into the car. When we opened

the door a flock of sheep tried to get in with us. That was my first impression of the countryside and I didn't come back until 20 years later.

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

That also goes back to my early days and watching All Creatures Great and Small on TV. James Herriot country is really amazing with Aysgarth Falls and Askrigg, it's still my favourite part of the county. It's so completely different from the South Downs and the landscape I was used to.

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

Sounds a bit naff really, but I live in Cawthorne and I like to go out and walk for seven or eight miles from the village with a bottle of Chardonnay and a picnic. It's great on a sunny day, but even in winter you can wrap up. I'm within easy reach of Silkstone, Dodworth, High Hoyland and I like the fact that I can walk out of the house and don't have to drive anywhere.

Do you have a favourite walk, or view?

I like going out towards the east coast and looking down over Robin Hood's Bay from the moors.

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

I'm not much up on sport, but I think the late Jane Tomlinson would have been amazing to meet. I admire her for everything she achieved and she is a good example to us all. The only other person I would be interested in is show jumper Harvey Smith because we used to have horses and I did some jumping in my teenage years.

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

Dame Judi Dench because I admire the breadth of her work , from classical Shakespeare to playing M in the Bond films. My first love is musicals and I saw her in A Little Night Music, so I think she'd be an interesting and amusing person to have dinner with.

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

It's going to have to be Cawthorne. There are so many villages of repute in West and North Yorkshire that I'm going for South Yorkshire. Although it's not exactly hidden, it's a gem to me. After a stressful day at the office, I drive 25 miles from Leeds back home where I can

relax. I live on a hillside and there are nice views.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

I think it's to do with the diversity of the geography: the Pennines; the coast; the stunning views and landscapes. In the south we don't have the huge views like up here. The buildings are also of national importance: York Minster, The Royal Armouries, the Railway Museum. Then there's the directness of the people. They are really much more friendly here. In the South they don't speak to you. I can honestly say I have no intention of going back. I can't now I'm a Deputy Lieutenant as they tie you down until you're 75 then put you on the retired list.

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

I'm much more interested in all the cultural things going on. If I had to, it would be rugby. If pushed, I'd go for Leeds Rhinos or I could go to Bramham Horse Trials.

What about Yorkshire's cultural life?

What a huge variety we have. Take Leeds, what other city has a major opera company, dance companies, galleries, and theatres? No other region can boast the things we have, like the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Media Museum. There's so much here. Also with our new building coming on stream with its 230-seat theatre, it will be a centre of excellence for dance, not just in Yorkshire but the whole of the North of England.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

Anthony's on Boar Lane, Leeds, is really great for occasions. The white onion risotto is my favourite. I also like Piazza by Anthony in the Corn Exchange; it's such an amazing building. For fish, I go to Live Bait on the The Calls and take people there for lunch.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

I don't do much cooking, but the Cannon Hall Farm and Deli, about 15 minutes walk from my house, does incredible local produce. So I can go for a walk and pick up the Sunday joint on the way back.

How do you think Yorkshire has changed in the time you've known it?

The skylines have changed most noticeably in Leeds and Sheffield

since I came here in 1989. A lot of the old mills and factories have been redeveloped into shops and apartments and several old banks are now restaurants. The waterfront in Leeds has changed dramatically. But from a more practical perspective, the traffic on the M1 has really deteriorated; it's so frustrating in rush hour.

Are those changes for the better?

Yes. Apart from the traffic. Leeds has become a forward-thinking, business-focused city. The culinary opportunities have really grown as well – I do like food and wine – and we'll also have a caf bar at our new HQ.

Who is the Yorkshire man or woman you most admire?

Councillor Bernard Atha, CBE. He's 82 now and has been a Leeds councillor for over 50 years. He was instrumental in bringing Northern Ballet Theatre from Halifax to Leeds and he has put so much into culture in the city as chairman of the Playhouse, Red Ladder Theatre Company and Yorkshire Dance Centre. He is stepping down as chair of the NBT board, but will be our Life President.

How has Yorkshire influenced your work?

Leeds has had a huge influence on my work in terms of the council allowing NBT to thrive and supporting us with revenue grants, especially now. The vision of these people has enabled us to do all the creative things we have done over the 14 years we have been here. The 6.7m towards the stunning new building will completely transform the company and provide a great resource for the region.

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

Wuthering Heights, only because of the connection with the company's very successful production, our first full-length ballet in our new era. It was set to a score by French composer Claude-Michel Schonberg, of Les Miserables fame, and he played I Dreamed a Dream on my piano at home. My author's Alan Bennett. I just think his plays are incredible. The History Boys is brilliant: amusing, clever and intelligent. David Hockney because of the display at Salts Mill in Saltaire. CD is difficult, but I like the Black Dyke Mills Band, a Yorkshire institution and nice stuff to listen to. For my performer I'm choosing John Simm, the actor from Leeds. I'm looking forward to seeing him in Hamlet at The Crucible in Sheffield, a bit different from Life on Mars on TV.

Where is the one place you would recommend as a must see for a first-time visitor to Yorkshire?

The first place I think of is York. You've got the Minster; walks on the walls; trips on the river; and Betty's tearooms. There's such a range of things to do.

Northern Ballet Theatre's new Leeds headquarters opens in October. If you would like to donate, go to http://www.building-momentum.co.uk/give.aspx

YP MAG 7/8/10