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The Origins of Yorkshire Day

Fountains Abbey - One of the jewels in Yorkshire's historic crown

It can only be right that England's largest county should have it's own day to celebrate its greatness. In these days where for PR reasons national days are made up on a whim it is quite reassuring to know that Yorkshire Day will be 38 years old this year on the 1^st August.

Fine Yorkshire produce

Since 1975 the Yorkshire Ridings Society has organized gatherings up and down the county as a reason to show off all that this wonderful about 'God's Own County'. In 1974 the Local Government Act 1972 came into force and with it a complete overhaul of administrative authorities in England and Wales. Many parts of Yorkshire were moved into Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Country Durham and the newly formed Cumbria (formerly Cumberland and Westmorland), Cleveland and Humberside. There was also the creation of South Yorkshire which meant the abolition of the Yorkshire Ridings.

The Winter Gardens in Sheffield, now in South Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Ridings date back to when Scandinavian invaders came to conquer parts of England. The Vikings called it 'Thrething' while the Danes knew it as 'Thridding'. Both of these mean a third part which is why there was the North, East, and West Ridings but no South. What is known as the City of York today was a county in itself.

York Railway Station at night

So disgruntled was the Yorkshire Ridings Society at the changes to their beloved county that they instigated the first Yorkshire Day on 1^st August 1975 as a way to keep the traditions and customs of Yorkshire alive. The date of 1^st August was chosen as it was on this day in 1759 that the Battle of Minden was won in Prussia in what is now part of Germany. Soldiers from the 51^st Regiment, which became the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, picked symbolic white roses from bushes near the battlefields as a tribute to their comrades who had been killed.

 

Goathland Station, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, featured in Heartbeat (Aidensfield Station) and the Harry Potter (Hogsmeade Station) films

Year upon year more events have been staged across the county. For the third year running Wentbridge House, near Pontefract, will be running their free event in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The event runs from 12 noon to 7pm so there will be plenty of time to try one of the fabulous menus that has been developed for Yorkshire Day. Take your pick from lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. In between you'll be spoilt for choice for things to do. A perfect day out for all the family and a fitting way to celebrate Yorkshire Day!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Wentbridge House. The thoughts, words and photographs are my own.

Yorkshire Day Thursday 1st August 2013

 

Yorkshire Day in the grounds of Wentbridge House

I moved to Yorkshire 16 years ago and one thing that has always struck me is the diversity in the people, land and dialects. From the southern boundaries with Derbyshire, where I live, up to its northern tip by County Durham you'll find valleys and hills, waterfalls and coast, miles of agricultural land and heavy industry. Often proclaimed by its proud residents as 'God's own County', it seems only fitting that it should have its own day to show off its greatness. 

Since 1975 Yorkshire Day has been celebrated throughout the county on 1^st August. The date was specifically chosen because on 1^st August 1759 soldiers from regiments based in Yorkshire placed white roses alongside fallen comrades on the battlefield of Minden in Germany as part of the seven-years war. The Yorkshire Ridings Society decided to hold the first Yorkshire Day as a protest against the re-organization of counties and administrative areas under the Local Governement Act 1972 which came into force in 1974. Over the years the day has changed from campaign to celebration.

Plenty of Yorkshire produce to celebrate

This year Wentbridge House near Pontefract will be hosting their third annual Yorkshire Day on Thursday 1^st August. It's free entry for everybody and also free parking. Open from 12 noon there will activities and stalls to keep young and old entertained. For the kids there is face painting, Punch & Judy, Teddy Bears Picnic and an animal petting farm.

Lots of fun for the kids

The local emergency services from West Yorkshire will be coming to show off one of their fire engines and the amazing skills of the Police Dog Display team. One the chosen charities this year is the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, so they'll be on hand to tell you about their important life-saving work.

The vintage cars interest all ages and sizes!

Enjoy some traditional Yorkshire games and see how well you do at welly wangling and flat cap flinging! There will also be a chance to try and buy some fine Yorkshire produce with chef demos and wine tastings planned. If you want try some of the delicious meals that Wentbridge House are known for don't forget to book your table for Lunch, Afternoon Tea or Dinner with their specially created Yorkshire Day menus.

A fine display of wonderful Yorkshire cheese and butter

This year's other chosen charity is Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. There will be a chance to appreciate some of the beautiful countryside with a guided walk around Brockdale. For those less energetic grab a seat to watch the birds of prey display.

So come and celebrate Yorkshire Day in style at Wentbridge House and remember you don't have to be from Yorkshire to join in!

I was asked to write this post to publicise Yorkshire Day at Wentbridge House. As a long-standing Yorkshire resident I was happy to oblige. Photographs in this post are used with permission and feature previous Yorkshire Day events held at Wentbridge House.