JUST how in touch is politics and politicians with the people of Ryedale? That was the question Channel 4 journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy came to Pickering to ask.

Filmed live at The Black Swan, Pickering, the Channel 4 film crew and the journalist arrived on Tuesday evening after day one of a gruelling cycle challenge from Robin Hood’s Bay to Salford.

His first overnight stop was Pickering where he spent an evening at the pub talking to residents to see how engaged and passionate people are about politics, and also about not getting involved.

The pubs two business partners, John Hewitson and Phil Hall, who have been in the pub for only three months, said they were thrilled to welcome Krishnan for the evening.

Phil said: “It is great publicity for Pickering and it is great for us. There is a strong emphasis on the political discussion, but also on the Tour de Yorkshire race as well.

“This pub was the headquarters of the cyclist club, so that ties in with it as well, which I think they noticed.”

John said: “We had the Channel 4 crew setting up here which was great and Krishnan was here to talk about how engaged people are with local politics and had some clips to show to get their reaction.”

The discussion was originally due to be filmed in Kirkbymoorside, but because of the poor telecomm-unications reception Krishnan relocated to Pickering.

Simon Thackray, of Brawby, also met Krishnan and talked about the state of the roads and the fears about Ryedale becoming a focus for fracking. He said: “The crew was around for about an hour or so. It was an interesting experience and Krishnan was very interested in what was going on in the area.”

Krishnan is using #Northern velocity on Twitter to interact with those people who are unable to make the live talks. You can follow him on Channel 4 News each night this week.