My Yorkshire: Lisa Pogson, Airmaster

Lisa Pogson is joint MD of Airmaster, a mechanical services company in South Yorkshire.

She is also the first ever female president of the Barnsley Rotherham Chamber and one of the founders of its Women in Business group, a trustee of Grimm & Co literacy charity and STEM Ambassador.

Where do you live/where are you from?
I proudly live and work in Rotherham and was born across the road in Sheffield

What is your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire and why?
Too many to choose!  We have everything here from amazing local museums in Rotherham, Barnsley and Sheffield and wonderful parks and green spaces; polar bears in Doncaster at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park; meerkats in Cannon Hall Farm; Shopping in all types of places, from Meadowhall to IKEA, from independents to market stalls;  charities like Grimm and Co and delis like Miele in Rotherham to Wensleydale cheese in Hawes; seaside favourites like Whitby and Filey; Stately homes like Wentworth Woodhouse – the most fabulous gem just up the road from me; Malham Cove… I am sorry, I just can’t choose- it depends on what mood takes me!

What is still on your “to do” list in the region?
Ooh loads of things.  I love York and want to do more visiting around there especially the National Railway Museum.  I remember walking up to the roof of the York Minster when I was heavily pregnant and telling my unborn baby that it would be a great Yorkshire baby.

What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had in Yorkshire?
Too many to think of! In Sheffield I have had memorable ones at Brocco on the Park boutique hotel in Sheffield, or Bistro Pierre on Ecclesall Road, or the risotto at Amici Bicci on Abbeydale Road. Then there’s fish and chips in Whitby.  You get the picture:  I love my food!

What is your most Yorkshire trait?
Apparently, saying it like it is and being a Yorkshire lass.  ‘Nuff said.

Favourite piece of trivia about the region.
I am a Freemen of the Cutlers Company in Hallamshire.  The Cutlers Hall is such an amazing hidden gem and brings over 500 years of tradition to the city, originally around Cutlery and training/apprenticeships; a tradition which it continues today.  There are loads of bits of trivia around it and one involves elephants (my favourite animals) which are on the crest of the company too.

What is your favourite cultural icon to come out of Yorkshire?
Judi Dench – love her way, her acting; Brian Blessed is amazing, his great booming voice: Joanne Harris and all her books; Jeremy Dyson and his great script writing; Kay Mellor and her drama; great bands like Pulp, ABC, Heaven 17 (love a bit of Temptation)  and MANY more!

Worst experience or thing about Yorkshire?

Road connections and TRAFFIC.  We can get to London on a train to Kings Cross from Donny in no time and from Sheffield to London St Pancras in 2hrs … We struggle to get across the region in that time.  We have a vast county but let’s get real – road, rail and broadband connections increase productivity and we are NOT talking HS2 here!  We haven’t been able to get a tram train link working between Rotherham and Sheffield in almost the time that Crossrail has run a whole new part to a railway in London.  What is all that about?

What is one thing you’d steal from Lancashire (or other UK regions) if you could?
Nothing – we have lots of stuff.  Be happy with your lot!

What is the most overrated thing about Yorkshire?
 Nothing.  We are in God’s Country.

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