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.