Describe your hometown

I come from a coastal town called Whitby, which is tucked away in the North East of England. It is perched right on the edge of the North Sea, famous primarily for its dramatic clifftop abbey ruins and its deep-rooted connection to the whaling industry. In fact, it is widely recognised as the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, so the town has a wonderfully gothic, atmospheric charm that pulls in visitors from all over the world. What I appreciate most about Whitby is the contrast between the bustling harbour and the quiet, winding alleyways of the old town. There is something incredibly grounding about the smell of sea salt hitting the cold air while you walk along the pier, listening to the waves crash against the stone. I love the local culinary scene too; the smoked kippers and fresh fish and chips are genuinely superior to anything you would find in a city centre. When it comes to the future, I find myself somewhat conflicted. While I adore the slow, predictable rhythm of life there, it is quite isolated, and the job market is relatively stagnant compared to London or Manchester. That said, I would love to return there eventually. I think as I get older, the allure of the coast will become stronger, and the prospect of raising a family in such a tight-knit, scenic environment feels like the ideal way to spend my later years. It is a place that offers a sense of stability and peace that is difficult to find anywhere else in the country.