Celebrating Yorkshire Day is now 'official'

Residents of Yorkshire can now officially celebrate Yorkshire Day by flying the newly sanctioned official Yorkshire flag (as if we haven't been doing for years).

The flag, which bears a white rose on a blue background, got the thumbs up this week from the UK Flag Institute, which means anyone wanting to fly it from their rooftop no longer needs planning permission to do so and you won't get a visit from some council toady if you do.

Yorkshire Day has been celebrated on August 1 at various venues throughout the county for years to help preserve Yorkshire heritage and identity.

Activities to coincide with Yorkshire Day this month include:

Celebrations are taking place across the county today in honour of the day. Bettys Northallerton is offering customers celebrating their birthday today a free pot of tea in their tea room in the town. All they have to do is turn up with their birth certificate.

And Leyburn and Richmond Tourist Information Centres will be celebrating by raising money for Motor Neurone Disease and Riding for the Disabled respectively.

Both centres will be decorated with Yorkshire gifts, give away free samples of Taylors Yorkshire Tea and host competitions for all ages.

Leyburn will also have flower arranging demonstrations and Richmond will have a plant stall.

The Wensleydale Railway Association will lead its Yorkshire Pudding guided walks on August 1 and 3.

The event costs £15, or £10 for children and includes return rail fare. It is about six miles long and there will be a pub lunch, including Yorkshire pudding.

The walk leaders, routes, destinations and menus are different on the two days and booking is essential. For more details, or to book, call 0845-450-5474.

Eslewhere York Dungeon is offering £5 entry to those with either a York Card or carrying proof of a local postcode up to YO41 until August 31.

And Scarborough Borough Council’s tourist information centres in Scarborough and Whitby will be running Yorkshire competitions with prizes from local attractions and theatres.

NW, Bradford BPP