My Yorkshire: Gail Harrison, chief executive of CSDPrint

Gail Harrison is CEO of CSDPrint. Based in Castleford, the family-run business is 29 years old. Originally screen printers, CSDPrint now specialises in large format digital printing and produces banners, posters, signs and hoardings.

The company’s clients range from high street brands to marketing and advertising agencies, schools, colleges, estate agents, construction companies and political parties nationwide.

What is your favourite place in Yorkshire and why?

The little villages in the Dales; there’s quite a few on my favourite places list. I love Burnsall because of the river, the pub and the shop that does lovely ice creams. There’s also Appletreewick which is as pretty as its name and has some fabulous walks. I can’t leave out Starbotton, Dent or Reeth for that matter.

It’s all so beautiful; I go because its quiet and I like to get away from hustle and bustle!

What is still on your “to do” list in the region?

I have a plan to buy a weekend bolt hole in the Dales. My husband Stephen and I have been researching carefully for some time now and I think we’ve getting closer to deciding.

It’s going to be close to a church and a pub, and small but with just enough space for our grown-up children and their families to visit.

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

I was lucky to be involved with the 2012 Olympics which was an incredible experience but on the final day I couldn’t wait to get away from the city and back to Yorkshire. I travelled up from London to meet up with my family at the Durham Ox at Crayke. It was my daughter Katie’s birthday and we had a delicious meal, cooked to perfection by my son Peter who was head chef at the time. That evening will take some beating.

What is your most Yorkshire trait?

I hope it’s my sense of fun! Yorkshire folk have a great sense of humour and I try to be positive and see the funny side of things where I can. I think it really helps boost morale.

Ours is such a fast paced business it can be really quite pressurised at times and being able to have a giggle definitely keeps us sane.

Favourite piece of trivia about the region

I think it’s absolutely brilliant that Yorkshire has more Michelin Starred restaurants than any other county outside of London.

I don’t think people from other parts of the country realise just what foodies we are. There is some fantastic talent in the region and a wonderful selection of places to eat as well as a thriving food production sector. We really have got it all, great meat and fish, cheeses, chocolates, cakes and patisseries, fruit and veg, not to mention the beer and wine.

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

Can I have Yorkshire Puddings as my favourite cultural icon? They are certainly revered in my family. Our Sunday lunches get very competitive when it comes to who makes the biggest, fluffiest and tastiest puds.

Being able to make a really good Yorkshire pudding is a rite of passage – I have friends who have moved to Yorkshire that don’t feel they are fully integrated until they’ve proved they can make a decent pudding. Quite right too!

What has been your worst experience, or worst thing about Yorkshire?

Critics say Yorkshire folk are grumpy but we are definitely not. I think the directness and dry sense of humour can be mistaken for rudeness. We’re a warm, hospitable tribe who love to show off our county. Just look at the fantastic welcome we gave to visitors to the Tour De France, Tour De Yorkshire and the recent World Triathlon Series.

What is one thing you’d steal from Lancashire if you could?

Well apart from a few red roses to go in a vase with my white ones…I’d like a bit more business from over the hill! We work with lots of companies from Lancashire and I wouldn’t mind a few more, particularly design and marketing agencies.

I’m back and forth across the M62 a lot and could quite easily slip into Manchester to steal some juicy large format print orders. Our technology is top notch, our pricing good and our Yorkshire customer service is outstanding of course.