February, 2023
Staff News

My Yorkshire Q&A – Jake Wilde, Facilities Manager – reveals all in our ‘Meet The Team’ series…

by Julia Ford

Here, Jake Wilde, facilities manager at Towngate PLC answers a series of questions about our home county of Yorkshire and why it holds so many happy memories for him…

What’s your first Yorkshire memory?

I fondly remember trips to the east coast — Filey, Flamborough, and the wave pools at Bridlington Leisure Centre!

What’s your favourite part of the county – and why?

I’d have to say North Yorkshire, just a short drive from my home in Leeds and you are into gorgeous scenery; rivers, walks, and the sea.

What’s your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire?

My perfect weekend would be a spontaneous, long camping trip with my wife and daughters — complete with BBQs and fire pits!

Do you have a favourite walk, or view?

Sitting at the top of Otley Chevin in The Royalty pub, enjoying a nice glass of red wine!

Which Yorkshire sportsman, past or present, would you like to take for lunch?

I’d like lunch with Norman ‘bite yer legs’ Hunter — World-Cup-winning former Leeds United defender.

If you had to name your Yorkshire ‘hidden gem’, what would it be?

North Landing, Flamborough — a truly beautiful beach.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

I’d say Yorkshire’s unique identity is down to its people. Friendly, caring and no matter where you travel to around the world, you’ll always stumble across someone from the county!

Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?

My favourite restaurant would be ‘Forde’ in Horsforth run by local Horsfordian and ‘Masterchef The Professionals’ finalist, Matt Healy.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

We usually get all our produce from small independent places, grocery shops, and local butchers.

How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you’ve known it?

I’ve lived in Yorkshire all my life — apart from during my ‘holiday rep’ days — and I firmly believe it gets better and better every year!

If you had to change one thing in, or about Yorkshire, what would that be?

This is a tough one, I’m not sure I could or would change anything about Yorkshire. Maybe I’d pick up my village of Horsforth and move it to by the sea in North Yorkshire.

Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?

As soppy as it sounds, it would be my Mum — a proper Yorkshire lass!

If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, it would be…?

Scarborough!