My Yorkshire: The Rev Doctor Steven Croft

What's your first Yorkshire memory?

I was born and brought up in Halifax and, every summer for years without fail, we'd take a two-week summer holiday in Bridlington.

I don't think that we had a car until I was about 11, so we went by rail, but more usually in the bus. We stayed at a boarding house in Lamplugh Road, later converted into holiday flats, and we went to those as well.

I can remember playing on the sands with my younger brother and my bucket and spade, the speedboat rides from the pier, and Thompson's Amusement Arcade. Is that still there, I wonder? Just talking about it now brings back a whiff of the sea to me.

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

The Diocese of Sheffield, what else? We cover a total of 576 square miles, there are 1.2 million people within the boundaries and we have 218 churches. It goes from Goole in the east, to Bradfield in the west, and I am thoroughly enjoying myself getting to know both the people and the patch. There's so much life in the churches. I drive everywhere, and when you get off the motorways, the views are amazing. Not a day goes by without a new surprise.

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

My wife, Ann, and I love going up to York for a day, and walking along the city walls – we used to take the children with us when they were younger and they loved Jorvik and the National Rail Museum. The Shambles is always a pleasure.

The Minster itself will always hold a special place in my heart, because that is where I was consecrated Bishop of Sheffield last year. It was a very special day.

Do you have a favourite walk – or view?

I have a great love of Ingleborough Falls and happy memories of walking all around that area as a child and then as a Scout. I took my two sons, Paul and Andrew, there when they were younger and we camped out for a few nights. It was a wonderful bonding exercise for a father with his boys. My daughters are Amy and Sarah, by the way.

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

No-one really comes to mind as someone that I'd really like to lunch with, but I do enjoy the company of straight-speaking, no-nonsense, blunt people. So I am absolutely sure that there are plenty of sportsmen who would qualify.

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

Alan Bennett. I write a bit myself, so I know how hard the process is.

Mr Bennett seems to make observations that are honest and accurate without any shred of malice at all.

He is gentle and witty, has wonderful manners and I am fascinated by him. I've read everything that he's ever produced and I would love to meet him. He is also a superbly subtle performer as well.

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

I am going to be greedy and name a few – there are so many beautiful churches in this diocese, and I am constantly being surprised by what we have here. I went to Tickhill the other day, and it is a stunning building.

St Peter's in Conisborough goes right back to Saxon times, and Darfield has a wonderful Norman building.

They were all there and thriving centres of Christianity long before mining and steel and other heavy industry arrived. And, as a proud lad from Halifax (I was Vicar of the town for many years) I'm going to say the Piece Hall.

It looks so glorious now – when I knew it as a child, it was covered in industrial soot. Today, it is a true treasure. If you haven't been there – visit.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

This in an interesting one, and I've thought a lot about it. I think that Yorkshire folk have a sort of confidence that is at ease with itself, blended with a conviction that the world is, by and large, a pretty good place. They also have honesty and grit, as well as a sense

of humour that you will not find anywhere else.

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

I do now. I used to go with my dad to local matches, but that habit had died, until I became Bishop. I've made pastoral visits now to Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, and I'm planning to visit Doncaster Rovers, Barnsley and Rotherham. The terrific thing was that, when I went to the Sheffield games, they both won. I've been invited back... perhaps they think I brought some divine intervention?

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

Any coffee shop with a book stall attached is fine by me. Or a book stall with a coffee shop. I am a townie, I'm afraid, and finding a good one is always a joy.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

I loved the markets in Halifax, and the food hall at our splendid market in Sheffield is first-rate. Good fresh local produce is just fantastic. There's a feeling of vivacity to the place. I've been told that Doncaster market is worth a visit, so, one day soon I shall pop over.

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

In many ways, for the better. The Clean Air Act brought in so many improvements. As a boy, I recall that you couldn't see across Halifax because of the soot and the grime and the smoke. The only two weeks of the year with decent visibility were Wakes Weeks, when the factories shut.

And some of the new architecture is very impressive. Look at Sheffield city centre as an example. We didn't build much of any note in the Sixties and Seventies, did we? Most importantly, there is now multi-culturalism and an acceptance of others around us. The churches need to work harder at that, though.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

My grandmother, who was born in the late years of Victoria's reign and who died in 1996. She went to work in the mills at 12, was a widow for more than 30 years and she had integrity, and a tenacious love of life.

When I think of the changes to the world during the time that she lived, my jaw drops. She was born at a time when even leaving your home town or village for somewhere else was still quite remarkable.

And I also truly admire the kind of Yorkshire family who gets involved with their local church and who brings it into the community. We need more of them.

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

Yes, absolutely. I was born here and raised here, so it is within my very being. It is an enormous privilege to return to Yorkshire, to live here, and to share and serve the Christian faith and the message of

Jesus Christ.

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

I've visited (and loved) Haworth since I was a child, so it's going to have to be Jane Eyre. But all those Bront girls were remarkable and talented women in their own way.

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

I'd ask them into any of our great minsters or cathedrals and take time to drink it all in.

Read the building and absorb its message. Then sit down in a quiet corner and let your thoughts flow quietly. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel afterwards.