1 August 2019

Yorkshire

Yorkshire Day is not a joke. The population of Yorkshire is bigger than Scotland's and very much bigger than the populations of Wales or Northern Ireland. And yet over many decades Yorkshire has been neglected in terms of devolution, transport infrastructure and remodelling after the decline of traditional industries such as coal mining, steel, ship building, fishing and textiles.

Those with political power in the Houses of Parliament, Brussels and elsewhere nod their heads far more often to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland than they do to Yorkshire. Yorkshire Day is a way of declaring this ancient county's identity, signalling that we have noticed our inequitable treatment and saying to the rest of the rest of the country that we exist. We are still here and we are proud to be Yorkshire.

Last year I wrote a poem for Yorkshire Day. Here it is. Above - a beer mat that I requested from the barmaid on duty at "The Scotts Arms" in Sicklinghall near Harrogate. I think those excellent beer mats have been produced by The Black Sheep Brewery in Masham. In this great county, people will often greet others with "Now then" rather than "Hello" or "Good day".

30 comments:

  1. Sometimes it's not even "Now then" but just "Now". As a southerner I was always unsure how to respond.

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    1. You should have responded as most southerners do - by cracking your riding crop and replying, "One is awfully sorry my dear but could you possibly translate that utterance into Queen's English?"

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  2. I was hoping you'd pot today, so that I could wish you a very happy Yorkshire day!
    I know I recommended a book to you a few weeks ago but I've just finished a cracker of a book called "The gallows pole" by Benjamin Myers. It's about the cragg vale clients, set in Yorkshire. It's a top read.
    Hope you're having a glass of Black sheep ale this evening.

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    1. Cragg Vale is just near Holmfirth I believe. We had a traditional Yorkshire curry tonight followed by a traditinal Yorkshire comedy show. Happy Yorkshire Day Christina!

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  3. Auto correct says clients. I said coiners......

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  4. Happy Yorkshire Day! I hope you have a pint or two at the pub to celebrate!

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  5. Happy Yorkshire Day, Mr. Pudding.

    My husband and I (Americans) were on a train in Scotland in May when my husband struck up a conversation with a man across the aisle. After some small talk my husband, who has no ear for accents, asks our new friend, " What part of Scotland do you come from?"

    I nudged the hubby and said, "Sweetie, he's not Scottish, he's English."

    The man across the aisle (who spoke very public school), straighten in his seat and said, "Actually, I'm a Yorkshireman first and English second."

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    1. I feel the same way as that fellow on the train but I speak with an East Yorkshire accent.

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  6. Happy Yorkshire Day to you, my friend, and happy Colorado Day to me!

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    1. Dang! That's another co-incidence! Colorado Day is also on August 1st! Amazing!

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  7. I'm celebrating it too!

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  8. Sounds like great community spirit there - and I've not heard about that greeting custom. I would be nonplussed to hear it without an explanation like yours. I learn so much on the internet!

    Belated Happy Yorkshire Day, YP.

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  9. I didn't know the population of the area was that large or maybe I should say that I didn't know Yorkshire was such a large area.

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    1. Compared with Canada it is just a smidgeon of the Earth's surface Red.

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  10. My sister and I were considering getting together last night for a meal, me making Yorkshire Pudding and she bringing Yorkshire tea to have later, but unfortunately, we were both busy with other things and other people, and so our personal Yorkshire Day will have to wait for another time.

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    1. Clearly you and your sister have got your priorities all wrong!

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  11. Yes a belated Happy Yorkshire Day. Yorkshire tea always makes me laugh, as it could never be grown in Yorkshire but is damn good tea.

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    1. Yorkshire tea is indeed grown in Yorkshire - on the southern slopes of The Wolds - not far from the treacle mines at The Land of Nod.

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  12. "Now then" -- that's interesting. I've never heard that. I guess I haven't traveled enough in Yorkshire!

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    1. I often greet other Yorkshire folk and friends with "Now then".

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  13. Perhaps the industries should all start up again. Who forced their decline?

    Happy Yorkie Day, Yorkie!

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    1. Amongst other things - cheaper foreign imports and lack of investment from those who took the money and ran.

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  14. Yes, Happy Yorkshire Day! But why does the Yorkshire Day beer mat include a map of Antarctica?

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    1. Because Antarctica belongs to Yorkshire.

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Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

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