HAPPY YORKSHIRE DAY!

You're right, Yorkshire Day is a day dedicated to celebrating all that is special about Yorkshire but why and how did it come about?

Howard might argue that Yorkshire day is another 'Hallmark' day, devised to induce people to spend where they needn't.' And that in itself is a true Yorkshire man trait (and one that they are proud of) and isn't that what its all about? Culture, belief, idiosyncrasies, strengths, legends, history and character or characters even.

Looking at the family I married into and the people I'm surrounded by up in North and West Yorkshire I'd say grit, honesty (sometimes bluntly so) and pride (not to be confused with self-pride but that of their roots) are key character traits and I'd say they were something to celebrate. Add that to the BEEAAUUUTIFUL (and I mean beautiful) landscapes, the industrial towns and creative cities, dry stone walls (stands alone in it's own right this), the craftspeople, artisans, the sportspeople (remember how Yorkshire came 12th in the Olympics medal table 2012?) the food, the events, I could go on and on and on...)

As a Welsh woman who has celebrated her culture annually on St David's day, I kind of find it wholesome that we acknowledge our language, our history and culture every year. In school we would dress up, wear our daffs proudly and have competitions for the biggest leek in two categories: length and thickness. Stereotypical maybe but when you hear us sing 'Myfi Hen Afon Tywi', damn you would be proud to be Welsh too.

Although Yorkshire Day is relatively new, first celebrated in 1975 to promote the county and send a political message to London, it's roots run deeper. I never knew that Yorkshire Day is celebrated on 1st August in part because that is also the anniversary of the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. And what's that got to do with Yorkshire? For those of you not in the know, Hull is very proud of their Yorkshire hero William Wilberforce who was instrumental in the passing of the Act. Chwarae teg William, chwarae teg. or should I say Good Lad. It's not all flatcaps, Parkin and Whippets then.