MY YORKSHIRE Lucinda Compton
Lucinda and Richard Compton welcome 120,000 visitors every year to their home, Newby Hall. This year they will be celebrating the 75th year of opening to the public. The gardens have frequently been a backdrop for TV and films
What’s your first Yorkshire memory?
It was through our mutual friends that I met Richard. I can remember, even back then, being so impressed with the wonderful gardens at Newby, and particularly the herbaceous borders. In my teens, I was also impressed by the zip wire that was installed in the adventure area – whizzing through the air at speed was such a thrill.
What’s your favourite part of the county – and why?
The Dales, because they are unique in Britain, the rolling hills, the drystone walls, the light playing on the fields and the outcrops.
What’s your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire?
It has to be here at Newby, in the gardens, on a day when there are no meetings, no pressure to get things done, except a little weeding, pruning, dead-heading, and talking to our visitors, all of whom are very special – I get told so many lovely stories about their own gardens.
Do you have a favourite walk – or view?
Just about anywhere along the River Ure. There’s a marvellous loop that you can do which goes through Boroughbridge and Ripon, and the amount of wildlife that you can see is phenomenal.
Which Yorkshire sportsperson, past or present, would you like to take for lunch?
Harrogate-born Jack Laugher, who went to school in Ripon. Just to watch that man competing on the springboard is to see something that makes your heart skip a beat – so graceful, so poised. And please may I also invite the marvellous Brownlee brothers, so that I can tell them how much I admire their dedication and drive?
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, or past or present, would you like to take for dinner? Harrogate’s Jim Carter. I sat next to him at a charity lunch event, and you couldn’t meet anyone nicer or more interesting. Since he played Mr Carson, the butler, in Downton Abbey – which was, in part, based on Newby Hall – it made the conversation all the more interesting.
If you had to name your Yorkshire “hidden gem”, what would it be?
It’s right here, on the estate, the
Church of Christ the Consoler, which was built by one of my husband’s ancestors in memory of his brother-in-law, Frederick Vyner. He was captured by brigands in Greece, and a ransom was demanded. And much of it was paid, but they murdered him anyway. His mother was distraught, but she insisted that the remaining funds should be put toward building this magnificent church. The architect was William Bruges, and it’s considered to be one of the finest of its kind anywhere in the country. My sadness is that a lot of people admire it from the outside, but never go in. They should. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
If you could own, or have access to, one thing in Yorkshire for a single day, what would that object or place be?
I am going to be very, very selfish and request that I am allowed up on to the roof of Ripon Cathedral on a glorious summer’s day, with my own picnic, so that I can just wallow in the views.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?
These are people with character, and independence of spirit. They are so diverse in their tastes and attitudes and passions.
Do you follow sport in the county, and if so, what?
Richard has been trying to convert me to enjoying cricket for more years than either of us care to remember. And he loves his golf as well. Whisper it softly, but I might start dropping quiet hints that a day at Headingley really might be quite enjoyable – if there’s a nice lunch to be had, as well as watching the action.
Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?
It’s our “local”, the Black A Moor Inn, on the Boroughbridge Road. We know the owners, the welcome is always warm, and the food is wonderful.
Do you have a favourite food shop?
Fink, on the High Street in Boroughbridge. It’s a wonderful place for everything fresh and sourced from nearby
farms and growers, gourmet items, great artisan bread, cheese, meats, all the ingredients that you could ever wish for.
How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you’ve known it?
My belief is that it’s got a lot more confident. There’s been a lot of housebuilding, but then that’s so urgently needed these days. And it’s great to see that so many people with differing skills are volunteering – if they have time to spare – and really making a big difference.
Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?
All our wonderful artists, people who create things of beauty for all to enjoy. Names who spring to mind are the Yorkbased ceramicist Kate Semple and Whitby-based Emma Stothard, whose work is now known around the world.
Has Yorkshire influenced your work?
Without a shadow of doubt. I adore the gardens here – 25 acres of formal gardens, and another 15 acres of woodland – and there’s always something to see, or do.
Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer.
You’re spoiled for choice when you have access to a library such as that at Newby. But if I am going to take one volume down from the shelves, it will be Jane Eyre. We have it in a rare first edition. I read it when I was in my teens, and I go back to it time after time.
If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, it would be?
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, which looks beautiful at any time of the year. Magnificent scenery, a wonderful landscape, a really fascinating interpretation room and the water garden.
Newby Hall’s house and gardens are open until September. www.newbyhallcom