My Shortlist
Friendly Faces and their Favourite Places - Yorkshire Moors and Coast
The Yorkshire Moors and Coast have launched a ‘Friendliest Faces and their Favourite Places' campaign to recognise the important contribution of the individuals who help give the area its reputation for being such a welcoming place.
Below are some of the area's friendliest faces and their favourite places...
Scarborough Area:
Name: Bruno the Seal
Lives: Scarborough SEA LIFE and Marine Sanctuary.
Nomination: Bruno is a 20 year old common seal. Visitors and staff love him and have voted him a ‘friendly face!'
Favourite place: Scarborough SEA LIFE and Marine Sanctuary - particularly the viewing window of the seal pools where he can see the visitors and play with them through the glass.
Bruno's favourite time of the day is 11.30am as this is the first talk to the public - plus he gets fed!! Bruno loves splashing around in the seal pools and always knows when he sees a red t-shirt around the seal pool, that he is going to get some attention! His best friend is Mando, another resident seal - the two love splashing around together.
Name: Nick Taylor, Urban Renaissance Manager
Works: Scarborough's Future
Nomination: Nick has a background in running hotels in Scarborough, which he did for many years. Now, he works for Scarborough Renaissance: "My role is about putting things in place which are of benefit to the community, and also popular with the tourists," says Nick.
Favourite place: Scarborough Harbour. "It's a really great place," says Nick. "It's a very social area - a coming together of lots of different groups of people. The investment we made to improve appearances has had a super effect, and the local businesses followed the investment with improvements of their own, which has made it a really pleasant place to be."
"On top of the harbour wall it feels like a scene from titanic, with sea all around."
"I have a boat in the harbour too, and it's only one and half minutes to the open sea - the view looking back at Scarborough is something else."
Filey area:
Name: John Collinge
Works: Cherries, Filey
Nomination: John goes the ‘extra mile' for his customers. He spent 30 years away from Filey and says he is ‘making up for lost time' and always has a smile on his face.
Favourite place: Filey Brigg "I've been to a lot of nice places, but this is where I like to come back to," he says. "I like fishing on there, walking on there and looking at the wildlife... I suppose the sea is in my blood."
Work: The Beach
Nomination: The donkeys recently won a best beach donkeys award from the Donkey Sanctuary, making them officially the happiest donkeys in the country.
Favourite place: The Beach "They really do enjoy it," says handler Amanda Pickles. Some of the donkeys are rescue donkeys and ‘work' so that Amanda can afford to keep them and their friends. "I'm proud of them," she says. "A lot have come from not wanting to come anywhere near you to being on the beach and enjoying meeting new people every day."
Their other favourite place is anywhere they can get hold of a carrot or a ginger biscuit.
Name: Angela Cox
Work: All Seasons Fruit and Veg, Filey
Nomination: "Angela deserves the nomination because she speaks to everyone, cheerfully, and on their second visit, nearly always remembers their name," says Kim Wood, The Gables, Filey. "She is well liked by nearly everyone who meets her, a ray of sunshine."
Angela is currently doing a sponsored slim and has already raised £1,000 for local charities. "Without the locals supporting me I wouldn't be in business, and I'd like to give something back. I'm raising money for smaller local charities, including the Scouts, Girl's Brigade and the Bowling Club."
Favourite place: "Everywhere round here - there are some beautiful places to go without going far. Robin Hood's Bay, Dalby Forest, or even the Country Car Park in Filey where I walk the dog every day." "When the weather's right, you can't have a nicer place than Filey. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else."
Name: Malcolm and Margaret Edees
Work: The Pines Coffee Lounge and Diner, Filey
Nomination: "We enjoy meeting people and have some really nice customers, so if we have a smile on our face it's because we mean it!" says Margaret.
Favourite place: Pickering. "We used to visit Pickering quite a lot and enjoyed going there," says Margaret. "We're very busy with the business at the moment, so one of my other favourite places is The Pines."
Thirsk area:
Name: Simon Rheinberg
Works: Fauconberg Arms, Coxwold
Nomination: "One look at the Fauconberg's visitors book shows you what a friendly welcoming host Simon is," says David Shields, who nominated Simon. "People travel for miles to visit the Fauconberg, and that's got a lot to do with the personalities they will find there."
Favourite place: Music night at the Fauconberg, which takes place once a month. "It's when I am at my happiest, genuinely," says Simon. "It feels like what I came into having a pub for."
Name: Andrew Pern
Works: The Star, Harome & Perns, Helmsley
Favourite place: Whitby. "Born in Whitby on the North East coast, I've always enjoyed the sea and its heritage: the characters, the seagulls, vinegar-scented streets of chip shops, raw North Sea fishermen telling salty stories of life at sea and times gone by. I recall stories told in ale houses such as the Black Horse, the Golden Lion (over the bridge) and The Ship on the harbourside, places where the subtle blend of stale beer and cigarettes with a background hint of a urinal, seemed to add to the atmosphere!" Taken from Andrew's book, ‘Black Pudding and Foie Gras'.
Name: Peter Reynolds
Works: Sutton Bank National Park Centre
Nomination: "All of our National Park Centre staff go out of their way to welcome visitors to our National Park Centres but Peter's smile and enthusiasm are particularly infectious," Rachel McIntosh.
"Whether it's advising a group of adrenalin seekers where to go for the best mountain bike ride or helping children find the clues on a treasure trail around the grounds, he always does his best to make sure people get the most out of their visit to the North York Moors National Park and leave with a smile on their face."
Favourite place: Newtondale. Peter is an accomplished painter in his spare time and this deep, steep-sided valley in the North York Moors National Park is where much of his inspiration comes from. It's a very tranquil, unspoilt spot making it a haven for all sorts of wildlife and is also a request stop on the enchanting North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Name: Harry Lee
Works: H Lee and Son Butchers, Thirsk
Nomination: "Harry is always jolly and always makes time for his customers - he makes them feel welcome," says customer Angela Sims. "Customers come from all over the country - he remembers them all when they visit again."
Favourite Place: Thirsk
Name: Sally RobinsonWorks: Valley View Farm Holiday Cottages (www.valleyviewfarm.com) and Ample Bosom, Old Byland
Nomination: "I like to treat people as individuals," says Sally. "I've been looking after tourists all my adult life, and whether it's welcoming them to the holiday cottages or putting them at their ease when they come for a fitting, I like to speak to the person I'm speaking to, not in a prescriptive way."
Favourite place: "The road between Old Byland and Rievaulx Abbey as the view takes some beating."
Name: Craig Elsworth
Works: Yorkshire 4x4
Nomination: Very often we receive letters of thanks from customers. Craig's name often appears on these and we all know why, It's not just his welcoming approach and his humour, but the fact he cares. He cares about ensuring every visitor feels their experience has been outstanding one in every way. From that first welcoming hand shake to the one at the end of the day wishing them a safe journey home and thanking them for their visit.
Favourite Place: "I've got to say my favourite place has to be the driver's seat of the new Hummer," says Craig. "You can't help smiling when you descend a hill into bonnet-deep water - the grin just appears as the water rushes over the windscreen."
Malton Area:
Name: The Hon. Simon Howard
Works: Lives and works at Castle Howard
Nomination: Mr. and Mrs. Howard welcome 200,000 visitors a year into their home, and decorate it personally for the Christmas opening. Mr Howard's family has lived at Castle Howard for 300 years, and he sees himself as the guardian and custodian of the House and its 10,000 acre estate.
Favourite Place: The Hon. Simon Howard said, "My favourite place in Yorkshire is the Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard. I love being there and admiring not only the elegant architecture of the Temple, which was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and modeled on the Villa Rotonda in Vicenza, but also Nicholas Hawksmore's Mausoleum, another iconic building in the Howardian Hills."
Name: John Foxton
Works: Manager at the Castle Howard Plant Centre
Nomination: John has worked at Castle Howard for over 25 years, first within the garden team and then moving over to the Plant Centre. He enjoys sharing his vast plant knowledge with his customers and the Castle Howard gardening club, which meet each month at Castle Howard.
Favourite place: John said, "Home is where the heart is for me. I'm lucky enough to live in the grounds of Castle Howard in a lovely cottage with superb views across the estate. The majestic mausoleum stands almost eerily on the hillside, and the pyramid folly stands on St Anne's Hill. Rural woodland stretches out across the Derwent valley, away to the foothills of the Wolds. Leavening Brow, Aldro Crossroads, Toisland trees, and Duggleby Clump hug the skyline. Yorkshire may be God's country, but it's certainly mine!"
Name: Christopher and Phillippa Turner
Works: Low Penhowe, Burythorpe, Malton
Nomination: Christopher and Philippa's guest book is packed full of compliments from guests visiting from all around the world, and every one mentions the welcome from the hosts. They have won numerous awards, most recently the #2008 Guest Accommodation of the Year throughout Yorkshire' awarded by the Yorkshire Tourist Board. They also have 5 stars and the Gold Award from the English Tourist Council - this covers more than just the accommodation and location - it's much to do with service, and the way the hosts look after you.
Favourite place:
Philippa - Walled Gardens, Scampston. Fabulous at varying times of the year - is beautifully done.
Christopher - Highland Cattle, Lowe Penhowe -They are a lovely sight in some lovely grounds. They are friendly and the guests enjoy feeding them by hand.
Name: Kate Jones and Stephen Gillies
Works: Gillies Jones Glass
Favourite place: "Our favourite place at the moment , as this changes, is the walk in Rosedale, on top of the moors to Anna Cross. Whatever the time of year or weather it is a great stretch of the legs with the kids, fresh air with fantastic views. The view always provides a great sense on perspective on just about everything," Kate Jones.
Whitby:
Name: Skipper Paul Sykes
Works: ‘Warrior Sea Angling Team', Whitby.
Nomination: Paul's attitude to his customers has earned him the nomination. "I start from the point of view of how I'd like to be provided for myself. People have a limited amount of spare time and money, and what they do with it should be pleasurable.
"I can't do a great deal about the weather, but I can always show we are endeavouring to provide the best the day has to offer."
And that means helping inexperienced and experienced fishermen alike to make sure they catch a fish. "I'll always put the time in to get them going."
Paul has recently launched a ‘family fishing' package, where smaller groups will have his attention for a four hour trip. "They're really enjoyable," he says. "Inexperienced fishermen often do really well as we can set them up just right. We've had kids of 12 or more catching and having a really good day."
Favourite place: Skipper Sykes' ‘favourite place' which never fails to bring a smile to his face is Whitby. "I've had the chance to decide where I want to live - at home or abroad, and have had the benefit of travelling a lot. And nowhere pleases me more than Whitby. It's a lovely town, with an ideal sized community - big enough to have services, but small enough to be friendly. It's got lots of nice sides to it, but if I had to pick one place it would be the Harbour.
Name: Harry CollettWorks: Whitby Walks
Nomination: Harry's is not only a friendly face, but a well known one locally too - dressed in costumes ranging from Captain Cook to Dracula, he'd be hard to miss. "I'm a passionate believer in all that Whitby has to offer both locals and visitors alike," says Harry.
He goes the extra mile for his customers, both with his costumes and his style of delivery. As he tells the tales of the legends and local history of Whitby and the surrounding area, he puts them across in his own inimitable fashion, by telling monologues or singing songs from the Victoria era.
Favourite Place: Harry's favourite place is Roseberry Topping. When not donning costumes for the tourists, Harry is a fell runner and regularly runs up and over Roseberry Topping to the North York Moors.
Name: Barbara Richardson
Lives: West Thorpe, Stakesby Road, Whitby
Nomination: Nominated by Doris Marsden. Barbara has lived in Whitby area since she was 7 and is now 74. She's a naturally friendly lady and will speak to anyone, she has an ‘open house' for those she knows, and if she sees anyone in town she will always help them.
Favourite place: Falling Foss to Maybecks - "I used to take the grandchildren when they were little - there's a place to play in the stream at Falling Foss, then a lovely walk along to Maybecks."
Northallerton and area:
Name: Tony Howard
Works: Ex MD of Lewis and Cooper, Northallerton
Nomination: Although he stepped down full-time a little while ago, he is still a regular sight around the High Street store. "He's always been a cheerful face around the store (and the town), his smile beneath his marvellous whiskers! He is a great ambassador both for the business and for Northallerton and Yorkshire in general, and gives popular talks to visitors from far and wide," Gareth Dant.
Favourite place: "Great British countryside - nowhere else better"
Pickering area:
Name: Christopher Ware
Works: Warehouse Art, Levisham
Nomination: "I am the only fulltime human presence at Levisham station," says Christopher. "So I spend more time in my art studio actually passing on information to visitors on train times, good walks, dry paths, interesting wildlife, best local pubs, recommended accommodation, lending my land-line phone (there's no mobile signal), letting visitors use my loo and even giving lifts to exhausted walkers and cyclists. It gets a smile back from visitors and even commendations on the railway's phone log."
Favourite Place: Skelton Tower on Levisham Moor. "I paint it at least once a month because it never looks the same twice. It's an easy flat 20 minute walk from the road across the moor for stunning views of the wilderness of Newtondale from a romantic Victorian ruin (er - the tower, not me....)"
Name: Valerie Gardner
Works: The Old Manse, Pickering.
Nomination: Valerie is ‘Mrs Hospitality', according to husband Colin. "She is not only able to remember the names of our guests she is also able to remember their likes and dislikes," he says. "She has the ability to remember family details and always makes them feel relaxed and at home. This is an enormous benefit to the business she really enjoys people and being with them."
Favourite place: Valerie loves Dalby Forest. It is her favourite place to walk and take the dogs along.
Lives: 17 Burgate in Pickering
Nomination: I have been nominated by my humans Pat and William Oxley. They think that people come to stay with them in their 5 Star Gold Award winning townhouse Bed and Breakfast, but I know they all come to see me. Pat and William do try and must have contributed something to us winning the Outstanding Customer Service category at the Moors and Coast Tourism Awards this year-maybe I should be nominating them!!!
Favourite place: I have 2 favourite places-our patio on a sunny afternoon being stroked by guests as they sip Chablis and in front of the log burning fire on a cold winter day as they have tea and cake.
My humans love walking the coast anywhere between Whitby and Scarborough but they never take me and I am left to entertain my guests.
Works: Penny Bank Café, Kirkbymoorside
Favourite place: My favourite place in North Yorkshire is Rievaulx Abbey and village. It is located about 10miles from where I live, in a small valley a few miles north of Helmsey, on the road to Stokesley. It has a special spirtual presence for me and has a lovely calming influence when I walk around the valley, overlooking the Abbey. The atmosphere changes with the seasons and there is always a different perspective and something new to see throughout the year.
Works: Cuckavalda Gun Dogs and Carr House Farm Guest House, Ampleforth www.carrhousefarm.co.uk
Nomination: A friendly face who has a lot of local knowledge too. Jack comes from a farming background. He was born and bred at College Farm, Byland Abbey and is now married and living just 5 fields away at Carr House Farm. This comes in handy as his wife does bed and breakfast and guests benefit from this deep love or the countryside and of nature. He gives great pleasure to many who often comment about the sightings, and song of, wild birds he has in his garden. He is very patient and kind hearted. For local walks, he will happily lend guests a map or a walking stick and point them in the right direction for the best views. Some have even taken one of his dogs along for company.
Favourite Place: The triangle taking in the Abbeys of Ampleforth, Byland and the new Stanbrook Abbey at the top of Wass bank. "Every morning I walk out of the door I couldn't imagine living anywhere else but under the backdrop of these ancient woods with beautiful views in the peace and quiet. To round of the day, what better way than to mix with friends down at the local village pub just a mile away."
Works: Pickering Tourist Information 01751 473791
Nomination: I visited Pickering one Saturday last Spring, and had never been before. We wanted to go for lunch somewhere, then explore the countryside a little, and decided to visit the tourist office. I think I got the warmest, most helpful welcome I have ever received in a tourist office. Usually people just scowl and shove a brochure at you, then try to sell you some overpriced map. Les went out of his way to be helpful, and really took the time to explain all the different places we could visit, and the different walks we could do - one afternoon didn't seem like enough in the end!" Holly Reilly.
Favourite Place: A charming moorland church called St Nicholas, with the best view from a church yard anywhere in the country. It's so good they've put a picnic table there so you can sit and enjoy the view and the daffodils and bluebells. To find the church, head to Bransdale, north of Kirkbymoorside. A short walk or a scenic drive to the top of the moor takes you to Cockayne where the church is situated.
Name: Richard Thompson
Works: local weather forecaster
Nomination: Richard rings the tourist information offices in the area with weather forecasts on a daily basis and is always a bright and cheery person.
Favourite Place: Peasholm Park in Scarborough, where he does the naval battles throughout the summer months.
Works: Tollerton Shop
Favourite Place: my favourite place at the moment in the area is Yearsley Woods walking my dogs.
Works: TeaHee , Easingwold www.teahee.co.uk
Favourite Place: The walk from Caukley's Bank to Stonegrave as it symbolises home.
Name: Alison Barnes
Works: Crakehall Watermill www.crakehallwatermill.co.uk
Nomination: Alison likes to make people feel ‘at home' when they come to visit and nothing is too much trouble - from sourcing flowers and balloons to making sure her guests have home made cake and fresh fruit as they head out on a day trip. "I try to put people at their ease," says Alison. "For a lot of people it is a treat to go away for a night or two, so I want to make sure they have a good time, and if they decide to come back another time, it's a bonus. I do things that I would like if I was on the receiving end, but I try not to make a big fuss about it."
Favourite place: Alison has two favourite places which bring a smile to her face. The first is Thorpe Perrow Arboretum, "Particularly out of season - it's beautiful on a late February afternoon when the sun is setting." She also enjoys Bettys in Northallerton "That's my treat - I meet a friend and have cinnamon toast," says Alison.
Name: Kate Pawlett
Works: The World of James Herriot
Nomination: Kate is front of house at the World of James Herriot and is often the first person people meet when they visit. "It's a lovely place to work - I enjoy my job and come to work with a smile on my face," says Kate. "I think it's important to have eye contact and a friendly greeting, working somewhere where you are meeting people all the time it becomes second nature. Most of our visitors are on holiday, so they're in a happy mood and it helps me keep going through the day."
Favourite place: On top of Sutton Bank. It's a lovely view, and you can see York Minster and Lake Gormire, and then it's not far for a cup of tea and a cake. It was one of Alf White's favourite views too.
