Bettys has called upon Yorkshire’s finest and most famous imaginations to contribute to a whimsical collection of tall stories which adds even more speculation to the question on everyone’s lips since the Tea Rooms first opened. Who was Betty?
While the truth is that more than 90 years later no one has yet uncovered the real answer, a new book ‘Who Was Betty?’ has been published for a very good cause. All proceeds will be donated to the Yorkshire Rainforest Project, a long term campaign by the family business to save an area of rainforest the size of Yorkshire.
‘Who Was Betty?’ is filled with stories, poems and cartoons gathered in from famous names close to Yorkshire’s heart and including bestselling authors, world famous playwrights and OBEs. Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Jilly Cooper, Alan Titchmarsh, Ian McMillan, Neil Hanson, Joanne Harris, Kay Mellor, Jack Shepherd, Philippa Gregory and Barbara Taylor Bradford are among the contributors who have generously lent their support. The Book’s foreword is by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, founder of the Prince’s Rainforest Project. A story is also included from Bettys family member Jonathan Wild and there’s an anonymous contribution – slipped under the door of the Tea Rooms by an unseen hand. Illustrations are by York artist Emily Sutton.
Manager at Bettys Harrogate, Hazel Bone, said:
We’ve been bowled over by the enthusiasm and support to date from customers for our Yorkshire Rainforest Project. We have great hopes that sales of the new book will raise over £40,000 towards our long term aim to save an area of rainforest the size of Yorkshire.
‘Who Was Betty?’ is available from September 26 at the six Bettys Café Tea Rooms throughout North Yorkshire and from Bettys online shop ( www.bettys.co.uk or telephone 01423 814008). Priced at £5.99, all profits will go to the Yorkshire Rainforest Project www.yorkshirerainforestproject.co.uk
