That was the account of Yorkshire I was given when I decided to moved back home 6 years ago! At that point I couldn't argue much as I was only 6 months old when my family moved away from Yorkshire to the South of England. Visits became trips to visit the family as we headed north from our distant southern savannah!

With the majority of my family being based in North Yorkshire around the old Coal-mining and Ship-building industries of Selby and Pontefract, I found that the main features on my Yorkshire skyline where the steam towers of Drax, Eggborugh and Ferrybridge Power Stations. Whilst they hold a beauty all of their own, the industrial side of Yorkshire is more than coal burning steam towers on a Power Station.

By showing the beauty of Yorkshire through my camera lens I hope to raise awareness of the awesome landscapes and scenery that exist here in Yorkshire. These areas of outstanding natural beauty need our protection now if they are to remain here for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

Having returned to my home county at the tender age of 30, I have now spent the last 7 years exploring and admiring the parts of Yorkshire that present you with such awe-inspiring desolate beauty, whilst also documenting natures moods through photography. I hope that you like what you see!

With the help of the cYorkshire website I now have a platform for my work that can be easily shared with people from around the world. I hope that this will also help to convince you that there truly is more to Yorkshire than Flat Caps and Ferrets! I know this for sure now. And, what's more, by taking the time to come and visit Yorkshire, you will too...

Ann Cotton, Photographer