Celebrating Yorkshire with a day of events

FINAL PREPARATIONS were getting under way last night for the annual celebration of Yorkshire Day – 1,141 years after the establishment of England’s biggest county.

Halifax has been chosen as the main focus for today’s glorification of all things Yorkshire and 200 mayors and lord mayors in full regalia will parade through the town from across the traditional three ridings.

But the events in Halifax and beyond were preceded by those in Saddleworth, whose celebrations are traditionally held on the Sunday closest to August 1.

The cluster of villages that make up Saddleworth – including Uppermill, where yesterday’s events took place – are now in Greater Manchester but were traditionally part of the Yorkshire’s West Riding until the infamous 1974 local government reorganisation.

The parade of mayors in Halifax is expected to draw large crowds, and shops and other businesses will decorate their premises with a Yorkshire theme.

Calderdale Council is flying the Yorkshire flag at Halifax Town Hall from sunrise to sunset.

Mayor of Calderdale Howard Blagbrough said: “The eyes of the county will be on Halifax for the civic events, so let’s make our town proud, put on a stunning spectacle and show everyone how great Halifax is by lining the streets and getting involved in all the exciting activities.”

The Sheffield-based broadband company Plusnet has been promoting Yorkshire Day by asking residents to vote for an ‘emoji’ to represent the county.