Favourite English Regional Things.

[Exit Stage Left]

I was wondering what current cultural icons were identified with English regions. In the North West it's probably Peter Kay, who sold over 1.1 million tickets on a single tour, and over 10 million DVDs.

In landscape terms the area has one National Park completely within the region, and part of two others. It's also got three whole areas of outstanding natural beauty, and a big part of the North Pennines.

[pcolbeck]

Yorkshire - end of thread self evidently, what could possibly compete ?

[Exit Stage Left]

I was wondering who the most popular and successful Yorkshireman is, Jeremy Clarkson probably. But I'd see him more as the cultural leader of the South of England region.

I'm wondering who'd be the most likely ceremonial President of English regions. It was easier in the 'Nationwide' days. We'd have had Stuart Hall. Yorkshire might have had Jimmy Savile.

[pcolbeck]

Dont be silly it would be Geoffrey Boycott.

[Exit Stage Left]

The East Midlands is a toss-up between Alvin Stardust or Gary Lineker, with Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton cheese as the cultural highlights.

[Biff]

That special rain you get in the Peak District.

[Quisling]

Not quite so current any more, but Rick Stein with Cornwall, and I guess Hugh Fearnley-Wittingless with Dorsetshire.

[Mr Larrington]

Dont be silly it would be Geoffrey Boycott.

Ian Hutchinson.  Won all five solo races at the 2010 TT.

[Steph]

Mike Neville and Alan Hull.

[red marley]

The East Midlands is a toss-up between Alvin Stardust or Gary Lineker, with Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton cheese as the cultural highlights.

For East Midlands, the Attenboroughs should probably feature in there somewhere (along with yesterday's Leicester City - Manchester United result).

[tiermat]

Roy "Chubby" Brown is the nearest I can think of, for North Yorkshire.

So famous that the League of Gentlemen named their fictional village after him.

[pcolbeck]

I think David Coverdale is probably a lot more famous than Chubby Brown, especially outside the UK.

[Exit Stage Left]

Delia Smith for East Anglia I suppose, but perhaps too identified with Norwich. It would be like having John Bishop for the North West, it's better to have someone identified with one of the smaller centres if there are two competing cities. The problem is that most successful people live in London, Sir Peter Hall was born in Bury St. Edmunds for instance.

[Ian H]

Not quite so current any more, but Rick Stein with Cornwall, and I guess Hugh Fearnley-Wittingless with Dorsetshire.

His farm's in Devon.

Southwest we have to put up with Jethro, a comedian of the 'old-school' (he's not even worth googling). But there are Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin moor, as well as spectacular coasts and lots of less-spectacular but quietly beautiful countryside between. I live in a town sandwiched between two AONBs and a short bike-ride from the coast.

[Wowbagger]

Dont be silly it would be Geoffrey Boycott.

Ian Hutchinson.  Won all five solo races at the 2010 TT.

I thought he played for Chelsea in the 1960s and 70s.

[Ian H]

Not quite so current any more, but Rick Stein with Cornwall, and I guess Hugh Fearnley-Wittingless with Dorsetshire.

His farm's in Devon.

Southwest we have to put up with Jethro, a comedian of the 'old-school' (he's not even worth googling). But there are Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin moor, as well as spectacular coasts and lots of less-spectacular but quietly beautiful countryside between. I live in a town sandwiched between two AONBs and a short bike-ride from the coast.

A useful, if probably incomplete, list: Famous people of Devon & Cornwall. I'd forgotten Geoffrey Grigson was Cornish.

[Woofage]

Delia Smith for East Anglia I suppose, but perhaps too identified with Norwich. It would be like having John Bishop for the North West, it's better to have someone identified with one of the smaller centres if there are two competing cities. The problem is that most successful people live in London, Sir Peter Hall was born in Bury St. Edmunds for instance.

Not forgetting Britten, Eno and Peel*.

*OK he was an import, but so am I.

[IanDG]

Staffordshire - Oatcakes, Marston's Pedigree, Branston Pickle and Marmite.

[Exit Stage Left]

Staffordshire - Oatcakes, Marston's Pedigree, Branston Pickle and Marmite.

And Noddy Holder of course. The thinking person's Yam-Yam.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/noddy-holder-a-true-rock-n-roll-hero-and-a-role-model-for-sensible-people-everywhere-9747099.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIiTnJf61qI

[pcolbeck]

Yorkshire

• Frederick Delius
• Yorkshire Pudding
• Curd tarts
• The Wolds
• Whitby in winter
• Black Sheep Bitter
• ]Ted Hughs
• Saxon
• The Cult
• Kate Rusby
• Richard Hawley
• The Artic Monkeys
• David Hockney
• BRIAN BLESSED
• Judi Dench
• Patrick Stewart

[Peter]

Several really good reasons for living somewhere else, there, P!

[Exit Stage Left]

Where are Sean Bean and the Human League?

[Mr Larrington]

Where are Sean Bean and the Human League?

Somewhere in the box marked "Stuffs we're trying to forget" along with Peter Sutcliffe, Def Leppard and Alan Titchmarsh?

[Exit Stage Left]

Our water. Lots of it, and it doesn't destroy domestic appliances.

[TheLurker]

The East Midlands is a toss-up between Alvin Stardust...

And how could you forget Showaddywaddy?