My Yorkshire: Dave Johnson, managing director, Tudor International Freight

Where do you live/where are you from?
I was born in Willenhall, Staffordshire but moved to Yorkshire with my parents at the tender age of two. My father was a Geordie born in Jarrow, and spent much of his childhood in Bradford after a family move so I definitely came from northern roots!

What is your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire and why
I do love the beauty of Yorkshire’s East coast in particularly the costal resorts of Hornsea and Skipsea. This area brings back happy memories of family caravan holidays with the kids when they were younger – we enjoyed many a happy holiday with day trips to the larger resorts of Scarborough, Bridlington and Whitby.
Moving inland, over the past few years I have spent great weekends enjoying the Dales around Ingleton and Malham. We are lucky enough in Yorkshire to be able to enjoy both.

What is still on your ‘to do’ list in the region?
I enjoy travelling around the region and one of the areas I haven’t seen much of are the North York Moors. It is definitely an area I plan to explore.

What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had in Yorkshire?
When it first opened in Leeds back in 2014, I visited ‘The Man behind the Curtain’, a Michelin star restaurant with a tasting menu. The first dish was mackerel in chocolate followed by Foie Gras set in pink sugar donuts. The remaining dishes continued in the same quirky manner. The main entrance was through a clothes shop, above which was the restaurant. Its pristine white walls were adorned by colourful abstract paintings. It was a setting and meal I will never forget.

What is your most Yorkshire trait?
My Yorkshire accent which has always been well received by our international clients and freight forwarding network.

Favourite piece of trivia about the region.
On the river Wharfe there is a point at Bolton Abbey where the river narrows called ‘The Strid’. It is supposedly short for stride as at this point on the river it would appear that the river narrows to what only seems a stride across. It is actually 6 feet across and the section is, so they say, the deadliest stretch of water in the world.

Lives have been lost due to the fast-flowing water and dangerous currents, with the Strid apparently having a 100% fatality rate. Folklore says that the surrounding land was donated to Augustine monks by the mother of the son known as the Boy of Egremont who drowned in 1154.

Who is your favourite cultural icon to come out of Yorkshire?
Probably the good old Yorkshire Pudding – but the most iconic person for me would be one of our fabulous Yorkshire cricketers. Yorkshire cricket is known throughout the sporting world and Freddie Trueman or Geoff Boycott are stand out figures for me.

Worst experience or thing about Yorkshire?
I don’t really have a bad experience that I can recall. I suppose maybe commuting. I once lived in Cullingworth (near Haworth) and was working in Cross Green, Leeds and the traffic congestion was terrible, but I suppose that happens all over the UK.

What is the one thing you’d steal from Lancashire (or other UK regions) if you could?
Nothing – Yorkshire is Gods own county. The people here are kind, friendly and have a generous nature. This reflects in the lifestyle and the beautiful open spaces across the region.

What is the most overrated thing about Yorkshire?
That people think we are living in the past and that we all walk around in flat caps and have our trouser bottoms tied up with string. I think we can safely say that most have moved on – we have combed hair and use bicycle clips – much more sophisticated!

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