Be inspired by our Creative Champions
Whether they’ve grown up here or discovered the area as an adult, our creative champions all have one thing in common, they’ve decided that Lakes and Dales is the only place for them!
Many inspirational people have been in touch telling us their stories, about how much they love the Lakes and Dales and the lengths they will go to in order to stay. We call them our creative champions – people who love and are dedicated to the rural communities in which they live and work.
Orla Collier
Orla grew up in the Lake District and began her dance training on the Centre for Advanced Training programme at…
Creative Champion Highlight – Jess Aughton
Continuing with supporting young creatives, one recipient of our micro-commissions, Jess Aughton, has also been appointed as Art Production Intern…
Jess Prince – 42 Degrees
If you’re wondering where the name 42 Degrees came from and what the festival is all about, they perfectly sum…
Matilda Walden
Creativeness, talent and giving back to the community must run in the Walden family! Billy’s younger sister and GPLD Creative…
Billy Walden
For those of you who may not know, back in 2021 Billy became a contestant on Channel 4’s ‘Handmade: Britain’s…
The Knotted Project
The Knotted Project is a physical theatre company based in Cumbria and run by duo Natalie and Simon. They develop…
Clementine Bogg-Hargroves
Actor, Director and Writer Clementine Bogg-Hargroves started her independent creative journey with a one-woman theatre show at Hettie’s Café in…
Seth Benn
Dales sixth former Seth Benn has been inspired by our Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) competition for flexible housing…
Juliet Klottrup
Photographer and film maker Juliet Klottrup grew up ‘down South’ but spent her childhood holidays scampering around the Lakes. She…
Bretten Lord
Actor Bretten Lord has turned to his second love – antiques – so he can combine living in the Dales…
Rob and Harriet Fraser
Creatives Rob and Harriet Fraser don’t just live in the Lakes – they immerse themselves in the landscape through their…
Virpi Kettu
Animator-director Virpi Kettu spent seven years working on the Wallace and Gromit films following a two-week work experience placement at…
Dr Will Smith and Dr Polly Atkin
Wordsworth might be the cheerleader for Grasmere’s literary heritage but two book lovers and academics are putting it on the…
Lauren Smith, Laurenink
Former children’s worker Lauren Smith decided to follow her passion and has made her art her job. The Skipton-based papermaker…
Jessica Harris, Settle Stories
Former estate agent Jessica Harris swapped property for storytelling and moved to the Dales for her first job in the…
Kane Pulford-Roberts, The Clubhouse Coffee & Cycling
Work brought Kane Pulford-Roberts to Leeds, but the pull of a growing indy coffee scene and fantastic cycling was behind…
Josh Simpson, The Art Mill
Kendal based artist Josh Simpson is behind Picasso’s Playground, a project to bring a theatrical life drawing experience for all…
Bruce and Rebecca Elsworth
A chance comment on a walk past an empty shop led Bruce and Rebecca Elsworth to follow their dreams and…
Zanna Dennis
Following a successful career as Co-Creative Director of Blue Moose Dance Company, Zanna is now using her skills developed in…
Steph Dwyer
Steph Dwyer’s Great Place is underground, literally. Among the UK’s foremost cavers, Steph and her partner, Mike Bottomley, recently took…
We would love to hear from more creative champions
Please contact us with your stories: GreatPlace.Cra@northyorks.gov.uk