The first day of August marks Yorkshire Day, a day established in 1975 that has grown in significance every year.
As part of the celebrations this year, Yorkshire’s very own superhero Yorkshire-Man will be diving into a giant mug of tea at York Maze.
The mug in question is 8ft tall and holds over 1000 gallons (5000 litres), the equivalent of over 17,000 mugs of tea.
The popular New York Brass Band will also be there to entertain the crowds with their mix of contemporary tunes and Yorkshire favourites, as well as Yorkshire-themed games and Yorkshire puddings available from the York Maze cafe.
York Maze is believed to be the biggest maze in Europe and one of the largest in the world - it covers an area the size of eight Wembley football pitches.
People also often have street parties and venues host celebrations on the day. Traditionally, the region’s mayors, Lord Mayors, and other public figures attend the host town for a breakfast reception before meeting for a thanksgiving service.
But what is the background behind Yorkshire Day?
What is Yorkshire Day?
The day was established at an annual civic gathering of Mayors, Lord Mayors, their attendants and other dignitaries.
It was celebrated by the Yorkshire Ridings Society in 1975, initially in Beverley, as ‘a protest movement against the local government re-organisation of 1974’. But not everyone was best pleased with this decision, and it led to huge swathes of Yorkshire being removed from the county’s control and handed to Lancashire and other bordering areas.
The first Yorkshire Day Civic Celebration in 1985 was held in York. Since then, the council and Mayor of different towns and cities have taken turns hosting it.
The host town or city also has the honour and prestige of being the official Yorkshire Day town or city for a full calendar year. The Yorkshire Day flag is handed over from council to council on the day, each council adding its coat of arms to the flag to record its year.
Two important events in Yorkshire’s history took place on August 1. The first was the Battle of Minden, when British and German forces routed the French army in 1759 in what is now Germany.
The second is the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, which was championed by Yorkshire MP William Wilberforce.
