Abigail Appleton, principal of Herefordshire College of Arts, told Herefordshire Living what she loves about the county she now calls home

YOU HAVEN’T ALWAYS LIVED IN HEREFORDSHIRE – WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
My very first visit to Herefordshire was to the YHA youth hostel at Welsh Bicknor; it was spring, and the valley was full of flowers and birdsong. Visiting from where we lived in central Manchester, it not only seemed achingly beautiful but almost enchanted. 
WHAT ABOUT THE COUNTY CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR DECISION TO MOVE HERE?
Hereford was bidding for UK City of Culture 2021. It was an outsider city, a border rebel up against heavyweight favourites, but still going for it, and I loved what that said about pride in place and ambition. I began to talk to people and realised the county was full of interesting business and enterprise such as the indie food producer scene, as well as rich in artists and musicians, with the world-renowned Hay Festival on its doorstep. When I came to check out Hereford itself, I was drawn to the cathedral and utterly fascinated by the mappa mundi, then I made my way to Old Market and there was a branch of Tiger… that pretty much clinched it! Manchester didn’t have Tiger then, so here was a city where I could be poring over one of the great treasures of the medieval world and ten minutes later sorting my daughter’s imminent party, before strolling back to the station.
AND IF A STRANGER ONLY HAD TIME TO VISIT ONE PLACE, WHERE WOULD YOU SUGGEST?
I’d say come to Hereford College of Arts, it’s one of the UK’s few independent art schools and epitomises Herefordshire in being rooted in place but connected to the world. Like our county we have a deep connection to history, in our case to a craft tradition and the great art and design boom of the 19th century but we’re future facing; our students are pushing boundaries with new materials and technologies. We love touring people around. 
WHAT MAKES HEREFORDSHIRE PEOPLE SPECIAL?
I think there’s a lot of independence and individuality here and I’ve learnt to be very careful of stereotyping Herefordshire people, but I have found them very welcoming. 
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO IN THE COUNTY ON A DAY OFF?
Probably a cycle ride with my son in Hough Woods, when it’s dry, or an afternoon at the National Trust’s Berrington Hall, particularly if they are displaying a new contemporary art commission. 
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO EAT?
That is so difficult! I love café culture and we have some great ones, so I’ll have to cheat and declare a dead heat between Rocket, Sensory and Rye and De Koffie Pot in Hereford and the cakes at Berrington Hall.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO MEET FRIENDS FOR A DRINK AND A CATCH-UP?
The Bunch of Carrots in Hampton Bishop, it’s just far enough from home to feel a drink has been earned but near enough to walk back afterwards.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WALK – OR VIEW?
I cycle into work past orchards and it’s amazing to look through the trees in blossom or apple-heavy but the place I take all visitors is Kilpeck, for the extraordinary carvings and the wide-open views across time and space. 
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT THE COUNTY?
It’s full of creativity and open to opportunity. 
WHAT WOULD MAKE HEREFORDSHIRE AN EVEN BETTER PLACE TO LIVE?
More degree students coming into the county to study and start their careers will bring more creativity, enterprise and positive social impact, but I’m a dinghy sailor so I’d also like a small inland sea with a lively offshore breeze.