Russell's Hotspots

By Carole Green
BBC North Yorkshire

Pupils at Seamer School were keen to plant their tree themselves

Russell Walker along with producer, Anna Wallace and reporter, Dougie Weake, are linking up with the big red BBC bus to broadcast the Mid Morning Show live each Wednesday morning from a 'Hot Spot' somewhere in the county.

They met some of the people who live and work in the various communities and brought you their stories.

Find out who Russell met, how the team offered expert help to different community groups and what was 'hot' and what's not in each place!

The first location was Hampsthwaite, five miles from Harrogate. The team visited Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School, where a group of children sang live for Russell and BBC Radio York's listeners.

Wherever Russell goes he leave no stone unturned

The 'Hot Spots' legacy, a flowering almond tree kindly donated by the Harrogate Flower Shows, was planted by the team at Hampsthwaite School. A tree will be planted at all the 'Hot Spots' locations.

Rufforth, near York, was the second place to be given Russell's special 'Hot Spots' treatment with a special gardening advice session in the local pub, the Tankard Inn, followed by more gardening with the children from Rufforth Primary School.

The adjoining villages of Burniston & Cloughton, just north of Scarborough, were chosen as the third location. A men's cookery lesson in the kitchen of the brand new Methodist Chapel extension was the highlight of this show.

Russell also heard about the local panto and visited Lindhead School, where another crab apple tree was left behind as a legacy.

Fourth on the list of 'Hot Spots' was Copmanthorpe, where a hairdressing session was held in the local youth club. One local woman actually had a haircut as part of the show!

The historic village of Sheriff Hutton was the fifth venue for Russell's continuing tour. The village is dominated by the castle, and was home to King Richard III, did he really murder his nephews? Russell spoke to Richard and Jenny Howarth, the castle is on their farmland.

A trip to the seaside was in order for 'Hot Spot' number six and the team pitched up in Seamer. The staff and pupils at Seamer & Irton primary school made everyone very welcome, the kettle was on first thing - always a good sign.

Wherever the Big Red Bus goes the mid morning team won't be far behind

Anna chatted to Paul McWilliams, he's married to the Vicar of St. Martin's Church in Seamer, Laura McWilliams. He jokingly describes himself as the 'Vicar's Wife' on the church website.

History was the order of the day again when Russell and the team battled their way to Stamford Bridge. In 1066 after rather ungraciously burning Scarborough, the King of Norway and an ally made their way south and were surprised by King Harold's army who had marched 185 miles in just four days to oppose them. A fierce battle ensued which marked the end of the Viking era in England. It all happened in Stamford Bridge!

'Hot Spot' number eight was a bit different, the Big Red BBC Bus pulled up outside York Minster. With around 750 staff and volunteers, as well as thousands of visitors, the Minster is a close-knit community.

Russell flexed his fingers and had a go on the organ, under the watchful eye of the regular organist John Scott Whitely. We think that's the first time chopsticks has ever been played in York Minster!

Canon Precentor, Jeremy Fletcher and Head Verger, Nick Carberry took part in 'Man Thing'. Discuss: Do women find you attractive in your uniform?

Stillington was 'Hot Spot' number nine and Russell and the team parked the big red BBC bus outside the White Bear. Russell and Dougie ate their way round Stillington, calling at the Indian restaurant, the pub and a Mediterranean restaurant.

Stillington resident, Val Marshall, has raised £545 for the British Heart Foundation with a sponsored slim. As a reward, she had a makeover from Bubbles beauty salon in nearby Easingwold and colour analyst, Kasia Scott.

Next on the list for a 'Hot Spots' visit was Cawood and the team found out about the very successful Cawood Craft Festival, which was first held in 1982.

In Stillington, Russell treated a few of the ladies to a free makeover

Cawood used to be the home of the Archbishop of York and was also where a rare Viking sword was found in the river in the late 19th century. The Cawood Sword can be seen in the Yorkshire Museum in York.

Helmsley was the penultimate stop on Russell's 'Hot Spots' tour of North Yorkshire. Russell and Dougie were challenged by the Black Swan's head chef, Paul Peters challenged them to make passionfruit chocolate bombs! There was chocolate everywhere!

As usual a there was a bit of history when Russell visited English Heritage's warehouse facility in Helmsley. Thousands of artefacts are stored there and Laura Martin, a curatorial assistant for English Heritage showed them a cannon ball which was found at Scarborough Castle.

The final 'Hot Spot' was on Wednesday 15th July when Russell, Dougie, Anna and Mick were at the Great Yorkshire Show.

They caught up with Elaine Keith at the Great Yorkshire Show, they'd first spoken to Elaine in Seamer. Elaine showed her prize Aberdeen Angus cow, called Weydale Kirsty and Calf called Kate Moss for the first time in the Cow and Calf Class and won. Elaine couldn't quite believe it when she spoke to Russell!

Russell also challenged Caitlin Chang to a duel - not a good idea as Caitlin is the British under 17's fencing number one! She's hoping to represent the UK in the 2012 Olympics.