My Yorkshire: Amy Souter, Carter Jonas
Amy Souter is an associate partner at national property consultancy Carter Jonas.
Where do you live/where are you from?
Leeds, but originally near Helmsley in North Yorkshire.
What is your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire and why?
The North York Moors National Park. I’ve grown up walking and riding around the moors and surrounding woodland, and it’s one of the best unspoilt and remote adventure playgrounds in the UK with stunning scenery.
What is still on your “to do” list in the region?
The White Rose Classic, Ilkley Cycling Clubs challenging 114 mile road bike sportive through the Yorkshire Dales which takes in most of the toughest climbs that the Yorkshire Dales has to offer. This year’s Carter Jonas Yorkshire Pedalthon in May will be excellent training for it. It’s a Tour de France legacy ride for the business community and we already have 300 riders taking part. There’s a 40 mile or 80 mile route – the latter includes the iconic Buttertubs Pass which is ranked among the 100 greatest cycling climbs in the country. All money raised goes to the property industry charity LandAid which supports disadvantaged and vulnerable youngsters in the UK.
What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had in Yorkshire?
Dinner at the Black Swan at Oldstead, arguably the best country pub food in the UK.
What is your most Yorkshire trait?
Grit and persistence.
Favourite piece of trivia about the region.
Yorkshire is the UK’s largest county, God’s own County, and in an unbiased survey of Yorkshire v Lancashire, it was found that Yorkshire was superior (of course).
What/who is your favourite cultural icon to come out of Yorkshire?
Beryl Burton, born in Morley and the greatest British female cyclist of all time. She won more than 90 championships and 7 world titles. In 1967 she pedalled 277.25 miles in 12 hours, famously overtaking Mike McNamara, her male rival, and giving him a Liquorice Allsort as she passed! It wasn’t until 1969 that a man went faster and no woman has ever bettered her time. She was also five times world champion over 3,000 metres, 13-time national champion and the British best all-rounder champion for an incredible 25 successive years. All this she managed to fit around her shifts at a rhubarb farm and bringing up her daughter, Denise, who went on to be a top cyclist too.
Worst experience or thing about Yorkshire?
Some would say the weather (up on the hills on its wet and windy days) but there’s no such thing as bad weather if you’re dressed right.
What is the most overrated thing about Yorkshire?
I’m struggling for an answer for this, which suggests absolutely nothing!
