Shh... it’s Yorks Day

Aug 2 2008 by Val Javin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

YESTERDAY was Yorkshire Day, when we were all expected to show pride in our county and all that’s good in it.

Sadly, some concern themselves because Yorkshire Day has not reached the scale of Burns night or American Independence Day, despite years of trying.

Even the manufacturers of cards and other celebratory stuff seem to be largely unimpressed by this excuse for all true Tykes to show off a little – and even do it in public.

Perhaps we all realise that we don’t need to shout so much about what we all understand about Yorkshire.

Yes it has stunning landscape, both coastal and inland. It has magnificent buildings, a richness of talent in both arts and sports and an entrepreneurial spirit in business which continues to keep the county’s head above water and its name respected in the commercial world.

Its greatest asset is, of course, its people. And that doesn’t mean just those who make it into the headlines.

What keeps Yorkshire grounded is the ranks of ordinary people who contribute day after day to other people’s lives in so many different ways. It is perhaps that quiet dignity and perseverance that makes so many disinterested in a dreamed up phenomena called Yorkshire Day.

Yes it may just be apathy, but perhaps it’s also because we know that Yorkshire is doing relatively OK thank you. And that compared to many, both in this country and more obviously in the wider world, we have much to be grateful for.

Shouting about how great we are might just make some of us feel a touch uncomfortable.

If you did celebrate Yorkshire Day, then good for you. But somehow, when so many are finding life so much of a struggle, perhaps we should contemplate how lucky we are that many of us can still run to the traditional roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and consider ourselves fortunate.