FINAL preparations are being made for a day of celebrations to commemorate Saddleworth’s affiliation with the White Rose county.
The hard work and dedication by a team of volunteers, led by Brenda Cockayne, has paid off and Yorkshire Day 2019 will go ahead in Uppermill on Sunday, July 28.
The annual event was thrown into doubt earlier this month but Brenda’s efforts have saved the day.
Saddleworth’s administrative ties with Yorkshire were cut during local government re-organisation in 1974.
But this yearly festival revives memories of those former West Ridings days.
Yorkshire Day is officially marked on August 1 but Saddleworth’s celebrations take place on the Sunday closest to that date.
A host of activities are planned from 10am on King George V playing fields including craft stalls, tug of war, duck race, children’s races, gin bar, plus food and drink outlets.
And Brenda hopes the weather will be kinder than 12 months ago when the annual parade and fete had to be cancelled due to torrential rain.
“We have had a lot of help, including financial help, and if we get some good weather, I think it will be as good as usual,” said Brenda.
“And underneath all what has happened it might do some good. I think it is a wake-up call because nobody wants Yorkshire Day to go.
“It is a fantastic, good old-fashioned day that doesn’t cost anyone anything.”
Additionally, there is a ceremonial part of the day taking place in front of dialect poet Ammon Wrigley’s statue.
In 2019, Yorkshire will be 1144 years old so the official Declaration of Independence will be read at 11.44 am by Wrigley’s statue.
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