INTERVIEW
Rob Brown, co-director of the Dalby Forest Cycle Hub in the North York Moors National Park, was nominated for VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar for his passion for cycling with the community
Something in Yorkshire that makes you smile?
Standing on the top of a hill at sunrise or sunset, looking out over the North York Moors or the sea, and feeling that I have come home.
I was born and brought up in the south of England in the Thames Valley area. At university I met a Yorkshire girl (I think the correct term should probably be ‘ lass’). Our relationship blossomed and after graduating we married and began our teaching careers in Sheffield. And, shortly after that, I discovered the Yorkshire Coast. I was blown away. We moved to a little smallholding near Pickering and have lived there ever since.
Since arriving in Yorkshire I have always felt that Yorkshire is where I belong; where I feel I’m truly me.
A place you love to eat?
For me, the place where my heart beats a little faster in anticipation of what is to come, is when I’m walking along the seafront with family or friends and someone, usually me, says: ‘Shall we get some fish and chips?’ Eating Yorkshire fish and chips with plenty of salt and vinegar, wrapped in paper, not on a plate, and looking out to sea, with those you love, is one of the joys of my life.
A place to take friends?
The Yorkshire coast. Bridlington, Flamborough, Filey, Scarborough, Whitby, Sandsend, Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes. We have some of the most beautiful and varied coastline in the country – miles of sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and coves, fossils, dinosaur footprints and RSPB Bempton Cliffs sea bird nesting colony. Something for everyone.
A childhood memory?
At the age of 12 I had a part-time job working for an old lady who had a chicken farm. One day, after I had collected the eggs, she asked me to go into the attic and see if I could find a wooden box that contained something she wanted. I poked about up there until she called to see if I was ok. I had noticed a package stuffed bet ween the rafters and, unwrapping it, found it was a map of Yorkshire. I took it down with me and asked if she or anyone in her family had lived in Yorkshire? She replied: ‘No’ and told me I could keep it if I wanted. I thanked her and took it home with me. The map is on parchment and I have it still. Little did I know then, that in years to come, I would be living in the Vale of Pickering, in the county of Yorkshire.
A cultural go-to?
Fountains Abbey. The largest monastic ruins in the country. Established by Benedicti
