POETRY might not be everyone's first thought as a means of attracting tourists to a region hit by the foot and mouth crisis. Yet Ian McMillan, the Bard of Barnsley, yesterday threw his mighty and sometimes punning pen into just such a project.
The Yorkshire poet premiered his new verse, written to lure visitors back to Ryedale, which has been badly hit by the crisis. He cut a tape to declare that Ryedale was "open for responsible tourism" - and we can see neither rhyme nor reason to disagree with that.
McMillan also recited his wish to "dispel the gloom and doom" and we could all certainly do with a bit of cheering up.
Updated: 10:44 Tuesday, March 27, 2001
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