Rotherham chosen as Yorkshire Day 2020 host

Mayors, VIPs and civic leaders from across the region will visit for the big August 1 event, which falls in the Yorkshire Society’s 40th anniversary year.

The day — showcasing the best of God’s Own County — will include a thanksgiving service and parade.

It has provided a boost to visitor numbers and the local economies of other host towns, which have included Whitby last year and Ripon in 2018.

Rotherham Council leader Cllr Chris Read said: “We are proud to be hosting Yorkshire day this year and flying the flag for the county on August 1.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to come and see what Rotherham has to offer including Clifton Park and Museum, Wentworth Woodhouse, Magna Science and Adventure Park and Gulliver’s Valley, which is set to open this spring.

“We’d encourage people from across the borough to look out for ways that they can get involved in the celebrations as I know a number of events are already being planned.”

The event has been held in different towns and cities across the county since it was first held in 1985.

August 1 alludes to the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834, for which Yorkshire MP William Wilberforce campaigned.

The day was already celebrated by the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry as Minden Day, referring to the 1759 Battle of Minden during the Seven Years’ War.

The modern event is the Yorkshire Society’s official civic celebration of Yorkshire Day.

Society chief executive Philip Bell said: “There are core components which every council has to follow, which are a welcome breakfast, a parade, a thanksgiving service and a formal civic lunch.

“Beyond that, it’s up to individual councils to embellish the event how they

wish.

“This is the society’s 40th anniversary. We reinvented the society two years ago because it had been working quite anonymously and there are not an awful lot of records from the early days.

“We are now a lot more active as a society, more open and democratic and we welcome anyone who loves the county.”

The thanksgiving ceremony will be held at Rotherham Minster and the street parade will travel through the town centre.

A council spokesman said: “The procession promises to be a colourful spectacle with lord mayors, mayors, chairmen of councils and town mayors all in their ceremonial robes, mace bearers, local and national dignitaries and members of the Yorkshire Society taking part.”