Tracey Dawson
Tracey Dawson is a business leader and chair of the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance. She is a passionate advocate of raising the profile of manufacturing in Yorkshire and across Britain. Tracey has three children.
What’s your first Yorkshire memory? It’s not quite the first, but it certainly is the most vivid, and that was riding my little pony, Billy, and I’d have been about two or three years old. I just adored him, and he was part of the family for many years. My father was a builder, specialising in barn conversions, and we lived in North Rigton for all of my childhood. The village is surrounded by glorious countryside, so we could ramble along the bridleways in complete safety.
What’s your favourite part of the county – and why? North Yorkshire, up around Thirsk, and near to the White Horse, and also around Ilkley. It’s all beautiful.
What’s your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire? It would definitely involve getting up quite early, having a long walk with my two dogs (Poppy is a wee woolly one, and Mowgli is a golden labrador with boundless energy), and then, after a good few hours in the open air, finding a good old-fashioned pub for a late lunch. Experience has taught me that you have the walk before you eat – because you work up a proper appetite. Doing the walk after the pub is, well... very slightly, who can be bothered?
Do you have a favourite walk, or view? The vista spread out before you when you get to the top of Sutton Bank is pretty special, and I’ve never worked out why it is that so many cars just continue on, without stopping for a few minutes to appreciate this amazing landscape. Pull in, park up and enjoy.
Which Yorkshire sportsperson, past or present, would you like to take for lunch? The Brownlee brothers, who I believe to be shining examples for the younger generation. They are such dedicated lads, putting in so much effort, and doing it for their county and country.
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner? Sir Ben Kingsley who I saw many years back, performing his one-man show about the actor Edmund Kean, in Harrogate. It was long before he was knighted and, to be totally honest with you, I knew nothing about Kean, so, looking back, I don’t think that I was particularly interested in going. However, I emerged entertained, enthralled, spellbound and informed, as I’d just witnessed a master of the stage in full flow. Now, I’d like to meet him to thank him properly.
If you had to name your Yorkshire ‘hidden gem’, what would it be?
Not just a single gem, but dozens of them, and they are all the firms making up our manufacturing base – and there are far more of them plugging away and doing fascinating and valuable jobs. I could stand at the door of our premises on our industrial estate and within a few hundred yards I can see firms that are producing items as varied as lighting equipment for hospitals, doors for submarines, fibreglass mouldings and bespoke jukeboxes.
If you could choose somewhere, or some object, from or in Yorkshire to own for a day, what would it be? Rudding Park. And, to be specific, its marvellous spa. Just me, and all those lovely people giving me the full pampered treatment.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity? The really dry wit of the people, and our ability to laugh at ourselves. The honest and direct approach and the diversity within the community as a whole.
Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub? Here’s a contrast for you – the Magpie in Whitby for its fish and chips, and the Ivy in Harrogate.
Do you have a favourite food shop? Weetons Food Hall, in Harrogate, and the branch of Booths, in Ilkley. And both for the same reasons – quality and good personal service. I’ve always believed in the “shop local” cause, supporting our
own high streets. Many years back, in my teenage years, I worked as a beauty therapist, and I found that there were some customers who were so rude and abrupt, and I vowed then that I would always tell people that good service has to be appreciated and praised where possible. I’ve never forgotten that.
How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you’ve known it? It’s a lot less parochial than it used to be, that’s for sure, and we are creating success stories, despite the current climate. Our Leeds Manufacturing Festival is self-funded, and it’s always coming up with new ideas and opportunities. If I had a motto, it would be “Survive – and thrive”.
If you had to change one thing in, or about Yorkshire, what would that be? Embracing innovation is paramount, but not at the expense of personal contact, and there’s a need to talk to real people. I never go to the self-checkouts as I want to talk to human beings. And please, don’t get me going about our woeful rail services.
I remember a journey, not so long ago, from Manchester to Leeds, where by the time I got off the train, I had lost the will to live. I would have been quicker on a push-bike.
Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire? My mother, Maureen Atkinson, who, in another world, would have been Prime Minister. She taught us four children values and integrity, and she is still adamant that one should never cut corners by compromises. She’s honest, forthright, and a wonderful mum.
Has Yorkshire influenced your work? Just a tad. It has grounded me and given me a sense of belonging, and purpose.
Who is your favourite Yorkshire author/book/artist/CD/ performer? I know he wasn’t born here, but James Herriot, the creator of All Creatures Great and Small. For me, they are books which are accessible to everyone.
If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, it would be? Saltaire. It’s a wonderful example of one man’s vision, and his dedication to his workers and their wellbeing. Mill owner Titus Salt was a shining example of Victorian philanthropy, who changed the way that people lived. Apart from that it’s a fabulous community, with so much to see and explore.