My Yorkshire: Paul Heigham, of Bellingham IT

Paul Heigham is director of Bellingham IT, which is based in South Kirkby.

Where do you live/where are you from?

I currently live in Wakefield but was born in Chertsey. I moved when I was three months old, so I think it’s appropriate to call myself a Yorkshire man!

What is your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire and why?

Belle Vue for the rugby. But if Wakefield Trinity aren’t playing at home then Reeth in Swaledale is where I escape to. It’s great to just get away from everything – even the mobile phone signal.

What is still on your ‘to do’ list in the region? 

Yorkshire Three Peaks. I love walking but seem to be seduced by the Dales…watch this space.

What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had in Yorkshire?

I attended a Rugby League legends dinner almost a decade ago and on the table were Ken Rollin, Neil Fox and the late Harold Poynton. To hear the experiences and stories first-hand about everything they went through together showed how sport can form unbreakable bonds. It was a magical evening.

What is your most Yorkshire trait?

Greeting people with ‘Now then’. It’s become a bit of a trademark; it just rolls off the tongue naturally!

Favourite piece of trivia about the region

Wakefield and Yorkshire are at the centre / heart of our great country.

What is your favourite cultural icon to come out of Yorkshire?

Mike Harrison, otherwise known as “Burglar Bill”, was a rugby union winger who played for Wakefield RUFC and went on to play for his country and eventually captained the England RFU team. A great role model for all and Clark’s brewery even went on to name a beer after him. How famous can one man get…

Worst experience or thing about Yorkshire?

The car park known as the M62 and generally travelling east to west or west to east. Something needs to be done about the infrastructure in the North of England. I am sure that many will agree.

What is one thing you’d steal from Lancashire (or other UK regions) if you could?

I’m not sure if I want anything from Lancashire, but if I had to name one thing it would be Sale Rugby Club! Yorkshire needs a top flight rugby club in the Gallagher Rugby Premiership and with the unfortunate recent demise of Yorkshire Carnegie, it means that we might need some help in that area. Hopefully Yorkshire Carnegie can get back to where they were and start to challenge for a place again.

What is the most overrated thing about Yorkshire?

I don’t think there is anything overrated about Yorkshire. I do however think that whilst we are very good at promoting and celebrating our landscape and heritage, our region’s cities could learn a bit from Manchester perhaps in terms of how they promote themselves, their businesses and their cultural offerings.